What Does Worship Really Mean?

I keep hearing a contemporary worship song ringing in my ears: ” Here I am to Worship”. As I hum the words (wouldn’t dare sing out loud– too scary) I wonder: “What does worship really mean”? As we begin our new year together I thought it would be good to unpack the meaning of worship. The word means to give value or worth to something or someone. We can worship or give value to just about anything or anyone. But as Christians we are called to give value and worth to God above anything or anyone else. Now here is the problem. There are so many things pulling at me to worship— self, material possessions, relationships. Let’s be honest with one another, those same things pull on you too. Every day is a battle to focus on worshipping God first above the things of this world.

What to do?

There is a way to grow in our worshipping God and that requires focus, time, and willingness to invest in the One who created us. For starters begin each day with meditating on His Word and with thanking Him for another day to serve Him and others. That will reset or calibrate your day with Him at the center of your universe. I have to do this every day or else I easily climb into center place. It’s easy for me to imagine a crown on my head with everyone serving me (ok friends and family that call me Princess I can hear you chuckling now). It’s just the truth. But I am not the center of the universe and that is not up for grabs. Jesus Christ is the center and He longs to sit on the throne of my life and yours. The next step is to step into your day seeking the Lord in everything that you do– talk to Him and even more important listen. Apply what you read in Scripture that day and focus on where He might be at work in your day. Paul was pretty clear about how to worship by centering on Him through prayer: The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Worshipping God means being anxious for nothing but praying… and in praying His peace will come.

The Cross

Worshipping God means remembering what God did when He sent His only Son to earth— when He looked down at us with great love and said: “Son, you must go and rescue my beloved people.” Worship is recognizing that when Jesus Christ went to the cross He went out of obedience to the Father; He went out of love for us; He went because He was destined to be our Savior. So what is worship? Worship is giving value and worth to Christ and what Christ has done for us. Worship springs forth from a heart that is grateful. So the real question is not whom or what are you worshipping,  the real question is: ” Do you have a heart filled with gratitude for what Jesus has done for you?” When your heart is filled with gratitude, worship spills out naturally like a river looking for the path to the ocean. So together let’s set our intention on having a grateful heart.