My experience in Grenada recently with the short term missions team has, as with Randall, changed my thoughts on a lot of fronts. Here are some of my thoughts about worship. Worship, in the church we visited on the Sunday we were there, so contrasted with the way we worship in our church - or maybe I should say, how I worship.
This experience comes at the same time that we are reading through the Bible in 2007 (as a congregation) and I have just recently finished Leviticus - the book which deals with matters of worship. The Israelites had laws showing them how they could stand before the Lord with clean hands and a pure heart - laws governing their atonement. “Our worship today is made possible by the atoning power of the blood of Jesus, the one-for-all sacrifice that God himself has provided for our eternal redemption.” (Topical Study Bible, p.131)
My thoughts about our worship no way speak condemningly of others, just my observations about myself - which I share with you.
Sunday morning service began at 8:30 am - so we had an early start to our day. When we arrived, not late, the congregation were already totally involved in singing and worship, the church almost full several minutes before church time. The attitude of worship - with singing and praising God - went on for considerable time (I did not keep track). I was overwhelmed - so moved by how totally involved they were in their worship.
Later in the day, while spending a few quiet moments with our host, I mentioned to her that I was so moved by the worship of the people - and that we in North America do not worship with the total abandon of these dear people. Her response was simple and matter-of-fact - “People worship differently who have to pray for their food.”
I have had a difficult time getting that response out of my mind and heart - and all the more now that I am back home.
Our worship - and again, I am part of it, so do not point fingers - involves a well-trained, highly talented, worship leader who knows all the latest music - and all the words put on a screen for our convenience. Our part in the congregation is to worship - but . . .
Do we really consider what we are doing? That we are worshipping our Lord, out of a total grateful heart? Instead of worshipping HIM, we often think of our own comfort. And you know what I mean because we have all heard of the comments, after service, that “I didn’t care for the worship”!! God forgive us - who are we worshipping? - God or ourselves?
Here are comments which I have heard - “I didn’t know all the songs, music too loud, I couldn’t hear, too long, I didn’t like the music, too slow, too fast, couldn’t hear the leader.” How do these comments fit in light of the fact that we are supposed to be worshipping God. What about the service with no music - shouldn’t we be still able to worship?
I have seen people do some pretty interesting things during the worship time - including text messaging someone on their cell phone.
God forgive me for my neglect of worship to Him, forgive me for my lack of understanding of even the concept of worship.
Nowadays, hardly a day goes by that we do not see on television, Moslems in their mosques praying - or worshipping Allah. Although we do not agree that they are worshipping our God, our Creator, Redeemer, Saviour, and Healer - the list could go on and on - we must take pause in their “practice” of worship.
I was reminded in Grenada, too, that we in North America have the most - in terms of things and living conditions – and we must be careful not to be thankful the least.
So, over the last two weeks, I have been thinking on this topic of worship a great deal. I am aware that my real worship does not involve music, or even being in a church service; it is the deep attitude of gratitude in my heart - for the God I love, honour, and serve.
This topic could go on and on - but it was once again a wakening in my spirit. I have been forced to do a scripture search on the topic of worship and it is a lengthy one. Join me in your own search. I will end with one of the many scriptures, on worship in the Word, in Deut. 6: 5, “Love the Lord your God with all your strength and with all your soul and with all your strength.” How I desire to be there.
Submitted by Naida
This experience comes at the same time that we are reading through the Bible in 2007 (as a congregation) and I have just recently finished Leviticus - the book which deals with matters of worship. The Israelites had laws showing them how they could stand before the Lord with clean hands and a pure heart - laws governing their atonement. “Our worship today is made possible by the atoning power of the blood of Jesus, the one-for-all sacrifice that God himself has provided for our eternal redemption.” (Topical Study Bible, p.131)
My thoughts about our worship no way speak condemningly of others, just my observations about myself - which I share with you.
Sunday morning service began at 8:30 am - so we had an early start to our day. When we arrived, not late, the congregation were already totally involved in singing and worship, the church almost full several minutes before church time. The attitude of worship - with singing and praising God - went on for considerable time (I did not keep track). I was overwhelmed - so moved by how totally involved they were in their worship.
Later in the day, while spending a few quiet moments with our host, I mentioned to her that I was so moved by the worship of the people - and that we in North America do not worship with the total abandon of these dear people. Her response was simple and matter-of-fact - “People worship differently who have to pray for their food.”
I have had a difficult time getting that response out of my mind and heart - and all the more now that I am back home.
Our worship - and again, I am part of it, so do not point fingers - involves a well-trained, highly talented, worship leader who knows all the latest music - and all the words put on a screen for our convenience. Our part in the congregation is to worship - but . . .
Do we really consider what we are doing? That we are worshipping our Lord, out of a total grateful heart? Instead of worshipping HIM, we often think of our own comfort. And you know what I mean because we have all heard of the comments, after service, that “I didn’t care for the worship”!! God forgive us - who are we worshipping? - God or ourselves?
Here are comments which I have heard - “I didn’t know all the songs, music too loud, I couldn’t hear, too long, I didn’t like the music, too slow, too fast, couldn’t hear the leader.” How do these comments fit in light of the fact that we are supposed to be worshipping God. What about the service with no music - shouldn’t we be still able to worship?
I have seen people do some pretty interesting things during the worship time - including text messaging someone on their cell phone.
God forgive me for my neglect of worship to Him, forgive me for my lack of understanding of even the concept of worship.
Nowadays, hardly a day goes by that we do not see on television, Moslems in their mosques praying - or worshipping Allah. Although we do not agree that they are worshipping our God, our Creator, Redeemer, Saviour, and Healer - the list could go on and on - we must take pause in their “practice” of worship.
I was reminded in Grenada, too, that we in North America have the most - in terms of things and living conditions – and we must be careful not to be thankful the least.
So, over the last two weeks, I have been thinking on this topic of worship a great deal. I am aware that my real worship does not involve music, or even being in a church service; it is the deep attitude of gratitude in my heart - for the God I love, honour, and serve.
This topic could go on and on - but it was once again a wakening in my spirit. I have been forced to do a scripture search on the topic of worship and it is a lengthy one. Join me in your own search. I will end with one of the many scriptures, on worship in the Word, in Deut. 6: 5, “Love the Lord your God with all your strength and with all your soul and with all your strength.” How I desire to be there.
Submitted by Naida
posted by Randall | 10:32 a.m.
2 Comments:
A COMMENT: NAIDA I REMEMBER DISCUSSING ONE TIME A PARTICULAR ORCHESTRATED STYLE OF WORSHIP WITH A MAN OF GOD WHOM I RESPECT GREATLY AND HE SAID “THEY ARE WORSHIPPING THEIR WORSHIP”. YOUR SCRIPTURE SEARCH PROMPTED ME TO REMEMBER THE WORDS OF JESUS TO THHE SAMARITAN WOMAN HE MET AT JACOB’S WELL
FROM JOHN’S GOSPEL CH. 4:24 “GOD IS SPIRIT AND THEY THAT WORSHIP HIM MUST WORSHIP IN SPIRITAND IN TRUTH”
RC
What you said made me think about worship in a completely different way than I ever have. We all have talked about our worship, music, etc. at one time or another at church. I know of a church in St. Martins that when they first started they didnt have anyone who could play a piano and they sang without any instruments and they had the best of worship services. We have to examine our own hearts, shut out all distractions and remember why we are in the house of God. I find it hard personally because I have a little one, but thats no excuse either. Very good post Naida.
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