What is worship? Is worship what we do during the time music plays on Sunday morning? Is it the entire service? Is it something else?
One of the American Heritage Dictionary meanings of worship is “Ardent devotion; adoration”. I would submit to you that it is difficult to turn ardent devotion on and off. Worship is something that is lived, not done once a week. Can we change the world in any meaningful way be limiting our passion to an hour or even 15 minutes each week?
There are a few different words for worship in the Bible. The most common is proskuneo which has several different meanings, most appropriately to literally or figuratively prostrate oneself in homage, to revere or adore. This seems to be most like what typically happens during worship in church. When people are singing hymns or raising their hands, they are giving homage to God. But is it possible to revere or adore someone who you only give yourself to once a week? You might restrain from doing certain things because of your faith, but that is more respect than reverence.
To truly adore and revere God, it has to be a daily thing. Worship isn't just singing or being in church. Worship is more than that. As I heard at a concert we went to a few weeks back, worship is life. What we do with our money is worship. How we treat each other is worship. What we spend our time on is worship. What better way to bring glory to God than to be a good father and husband? We have to expand our thinking and try not to so rigidly define what our experience with God is. Worship can come from the smallest inspirations or the greatest conflagrations.
Imagine if all of us worshiped God every day through our driving. How much easier and more pleasant would the morning commute be? Our good works are a form of worship to Him. Our service to each other is a form of worship. It's time to step away from our one hour a week worship services, and begin 24/7 worship of God.
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