What is the Heart of Worship?

By: Kimberly Cargill

Sunday morning, I was singing, the song, “The Heart of Worship” on our Praise Team, and I really thought about the words.

When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come

Longin’ just to bring
Something that’s of worth
That will bless Your heart

I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required

You search much deeper within
Through the ways things appear
You’re looking into my heart

I’m comin’ back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You
It’s all about You, Jesus

I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about You
It’s all about You, Jesus

I thought about what true worship is and if we are truly worshiping God on Sunday or any other day.  Are we just singing words that we don’t mean? Am I singing empty words that have no meaning behind them for me?

I started at the beginning to see what Webster’s definition of worship is – “the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity.”  When we worship we should be showing respect and thanking God for what he has done for us.  We don’t deserve God’s mercy, that He chose us.  Paul described true worship in Romans 12:1-2: “I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable, or well pleasing and perfect.”

God is asking us to “present [our] bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God which is [our] spiritual service of worship.”  Every day, we, as Christians, are to be living and striving to be like God wants us to be.  Being a Christian isn’t just a once and done type of act.  It is a daily choice to put off the old ways and put on the armor of God.

I had an opportunity to speak with the youth group at my church the other night.  We are in Psalms 119.  One of the points that I was trying to remind them of was that every day we need to get up in the morning and we need to ask God for help. We need to put on the armor of God (everyday).  Ephesians 6:10-18: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.   And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

The last part of Romans 12:1-2 is “And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable, or well pleasing and perfect.”    God tells us not to conform (the process whereby people change their beliefs, attitudes, actions, or perceptions to more closely match those held by groups to which they belong or want to belong or by groups whose approval they desire) to the world.  God wants us to be different.  He wants us to be like Him.    So often, we, no matter what age we are, get caught up into acting, believing, and thinking like the world.  There is so much being thrown at us and that is why everyday we need the armor of God.  Even in our churches you will see “worldly ways” seeping in.  We have seen pastors only preach the “fluffy” stuff so that no one will be offended.  They don’t want to call out that sin is sin and make people uncomfortable.  LGBTQ+ has even been accepted and so much more.  Those churches are conforming to the world and are not teaching their flock to be different.

So, I go back to the song – “You search much deeper within Through the ways things appear You’re looking into my heart.” Where is my heart of worship?  Will He see that you are not conforming, but instead are walking the path that God wants you to walk? Worship isn’t just on Sunday morning in church.  We need to be worshiping every day, in all areas of our lives.  What am I listening to or watching online/television?  What is taking up my time?  What is my attitude like?  All of these question/answers reflect your heart and mind. God sees that. 

 

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