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I’m reading a book called, “How to Worship a King” (Amazon Affiliate link). One of the things that struck me in the preface to the book is how many of us grow up not really knowing what worship is. It’s not a music genre or just a “lifestyle”. I’m still VERY early into the book, so I’ll check back in with more insights as I go on. One realization I’ve had is that worship should be about loving what God loves — people! We’re giving “worth” — worship is “worth”-ship. Giving worth (priority) to something in our lives.
We’re staying at a hotel after a prayer conference — we missed the prayer conference by the way (long story!). As I was reading HTWAK and contemplating evangelism / praying for strangers, etc… One of the first steps to caring about what God cares about is to see the people around you. Recognize that the person in front of you at the store, the person next to you in the elevator, or the person behind you in traffic is a living soul. They were created by God for the same purpose as you — to know Him and to make Him known. Just recognizing that person’s innate value is an early step to caring about that person like God does. You may be the one God has sent to cross their path because of prayers from their loved ones. You may be the only “Jesus” they see in the world.
Evangelism can take many forms. I think we often relegate that task to pastors and “professional” Christians – as if there is any other qualification for someone to be a follower of Christ than to trust Jesus as Lord. We are all on equal footing when it comes to sharing what God has done for us. God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. Also, Paul said that he uses simple speech, because the Gospel itself is the power of God unto salvation — not our smooth talking. If we think we can’t do it good enough or that we don’t know enough Bible, then we are playing into the enemy’s hand and missing out on the adventure God puts before us each day.
The Bible also talks about how we plant seeds and water them, and then God brings the increase. It’s not up to us to “seal the deal” with everyone we come in contact with. If we faithfully try to share, pray, and point people to Jesus, God will do what only He can do. The Holy Spirit is drawing people to God. We’re just a helpful road sign along the way reminding them of the destiny that’s already stirring in their hearts.
Until our hearts break for what aches in God’s heart — the redemption of mankind — we will never truly be able to enter into the deepest worship. Yes, worship is a lifestyle, but a lifestyle of what? Closing our eyes and lifting our hands when the music time of church comes around? Why do we have to have music and lighting and all the emotional influences? Can true worship be experienced when your heart breaks for the homeless man on the side of the road and you wonder what his story is? Is it true worship when you go into your prayer closet and intercede through tears for the lost on the other side of the world? I would argue it is. Or at least it’s a start.
I don’t honestly know the true depth of the meaning of worship yet. I know there is a longing in my heart for something more than smoke and lights and sound systems and singing from a stage. Those things are not wrong, but they can’t hold the weight of true worship. One of the things God has stirred in my heart has been a burden for the lost. Someone shared the Gospel with me, and that has made all the difference in my life. I want to do that for others.
Just to be transparent, I haven’t gone out “witnessing” to others, and I haven’t led someone to the Lord (that I know of). I’m on a journey to step into more of that. I never wanted it to be done out of duty or just to check a box. I remember growing up feeling guilty for not having witnessed to people, and it bothered me. I’m 40 years old now, and I feel like I’m just entering into a genuine desire to love what God loves and pursue Him to know Him more — His presence in my life — and to share that with others.
My wife and I do some online video game streaming right now, and we’ve decided to use that as a platform to share the Gospel with whoever we come across. It often seems like an insignificant small amount of people we are ministering to, but I have to remind myself that I’m following God. I’m not comparing myself to other ministries or other people. I’d be lying if I said I never do that…but I know the truth. The truth is that our steps are ordered of the Lord, and as long as we are being the people who God called us to be, we’ll encounter those God wants us to minister and witness to.
So this journey of discovering what true worship is, for me, has begun by being genuinely drawn to the things God loves. I want to give Him my heart and my desires, and I can think of no better way to do that than to give my heart and my desires over to the things He loves most. People.
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