How to live in a state of Worship
In the world we live in today, worshiping anything other than ourselves would be rare. Before you rebel on me… just know that when I say “worship” in reference to ourselves, I don’t literally mean bowing down on the ground and kissing our own feet. I simply mean our CENTRAL focus. Let’s explore how to live in a state of worship in a culture that only promotes our own selfish desires.
a state of worship is gratitude
One of the first things that comes to mind when I think of worship is gratitude. Being thankful in this day and age is rare. Everything in our culture tells us to strive for more. Work harder. Earn more money. Acquire more things.
The reason for the never ending cycle is obvious. Companies want you TO WANT more. Why? Because they need to sell their products and services. The last thing they need is for you to be satisfied.
As long as they can tempt you to look at what you COULD have and less at what you DO have, they’ve got you. You will run yourself ragged to acquire what they say will solve all your problems, make you happy, etc.
what does this have to do with a state of worship?
The problem is this: Once you’ve fallen for the trick of WORLDLY ETERNAL PURSUIT, your focus has shifted away from what God has commanded us to do.
1st Timothy 6:6-11
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”
before you tune me out and walk away…hold on
No one is saying that it’s wrong to work hard. No one is saying that it’s wrong to have goals and aspirations and to pursue them. We aren’t talking about work ethic. We are talking about worship.
let’s look at the things in bold in that scripture
Money isn’t the enemy. Possessing it isn’t a sin either. It’s the love of it. People will do ANYTHING for money and the things that it will buy. Not to drag you down a depressing path but there are examples all around us that we simply cannot ignore:
- Drugs
- Prostitution
- Pornography
- Human trafficking
- Embezzling
- Illegal and unethical business practices
If money weren’t involved in the above mentioned misdeeds, I’m sure that the number of offenders and victims would drop dramatically.
That scripture gives us advice and then a fair warning if we fail to heed it. It starts by saying, be content. It continues by reminding us that we arrived here empty handed and we will leave the same way. And that having food to eat and clothes to wear is enough. Everything else is extra, not necessary.
Finally, we are told what happens to those who fall into the trap of being ungrateful and coveting more stuff. They have foolish and hurtful lusts that destroy them and send them into eternal judgement (perdition). The love of money causes them to err from the faith and heaps upon them many sorrows.
but the grateful man/woman lives in a state of worship
A life lived with a grateful heart looks a lot different than the alternative. Their conversations with God look different too. Instead of only meeting with Him to talk when there is a need, this person makes authentic conversations with God a daily priority. And tucked inside of those intimate moments are nuggets of gratefulness and the realization that without God, none of it would have been acquired in the first place. This is where true worship begins.
so practically, how do we live in a state of worship?
- Give thanks to God for the people and things that you have in your life right NOW.
- Meet God in an authentic state of mind and express your love and devotion. Fancy words are not necessary. Words from the heart, spoken in sincerity will draw Him near to you.
- Recognize who God is and what he has done for you.
this is a good place to start
Is this absolutely everything you need in your life? No. But I can guarantee you that just making this one small change in your daily routine will make a HUGE difference in your perspective and in your ability to worship a wonderful God that deserves ALL of our adoration and praise for HIS goodness.
please leave me a comment below on some things that you are grateful for in your life.
Just like a life of worship is completely counter-culture, one can observe that God’s way of doing things falls into the same category. Click the link below for Part 1 of the blog post that dives into the insanity of God.
