Focused Worship

In a previous blog, https://liftupmyeyes.com/what-is-worship, we looked at what elements should be present in our worship. All of us have had times when our worship seemed lacking. It may have been our attitude, it may have been ineffective worship leaders, maybe some questionable doctrine, or something else. Be assured, if something is not right with our worship, God is still there. He never changes. When participating in any act of worship we need to keep our worship fresh and alive. This will help keep us focused on the object of our worship. There are four things to remember if we want to experience worship at its fullest.

Worship, first and foremost, is about Him, not us. We should enter a time of worship focusing on the Almighty God. Although we receive benefits from worship, our purpose should be to keep in mind that worship is the ultimate purpose for which we were created. All of us know someone who was really good at something they did. My deceased wife, Gloria wanted to be a nurse from before she even went to first grade. She relentlessly pursued that goal and became an excellent nurse. Even after she retired, she was still a nurse. It could have been said about her that she was born to be a nurse.

In a similar fashion we can say that we are made to worship the God of the Universe. Isaiah 43:7 (CEV) reads “They are my people – I created each of them to bring honor to me.”  This is not God being narcissistic. In this line of thinking, we are attributing human characteristics to God. A narcissist meets a need through self-exaltation. God does not have that need. God is not like us. He does not need us. He does not need anything. The theological term for this is “aseity,” meaning the quality or state of being absolutely self-sufficient, independent, and autonomous.” That is God.

First, we should be grateful for all God has done for us. He would be no lesser of a God if we we

ren’t there. At the same time, we may sense that God would be there even if we were the only person on earth.  He created us and walks with us. Our worship is our response to his never-ending love. When we have this focus, many of our concerns about today’s worship fade. We should focus on God, not on externals such as the style of worship, the demeanor of the worship leaders, or those around us.

Second, worship is not about here – it’s about there. It’s purpose is to get our minds off the things of earth and onto the things of Heaven. When we focus on Heaven our perspective changes. We get a new realization that we may be in this world, but we have an eternal destination. 

We should take to heart the words of John 2:15-17 (CEV) “Don’t love the world or anything that belongs to the world. If you love the world, you cannot love the Father. Our foolish pride comes from this world, and so do our selfish desires and our desire to have everything we see. None of this comes from the Father. The world and the desires it causes are disappearing. But if we obey God, we will live forever.” We should be transformed from a worldly focus to a Godly focus.

Third, worship is not about now, it’s about then. 2 Cor 4:16-18 (CEV) reminds us “We never give up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day. These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing. Things that are seen don’t last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal. This is why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen.” This is good to remember as we struggle with our lives here on earth.

I am currently in my eighth decade of life. If I have not learned anything else, I have come to realize the insignificance of the things of this world. Those treasured possessions? They remain behind when we go to Heaven. And guess what? The earthly things we treasure and save for our children – they don’t want them. Although I enjoy many things on earth they take on a diminished value when our perspective is broadened to a Heavenly perspective.

Worship leads us from the emptiness of this world to the fullness of the next. Worship requires focus and should not be taken casually. Be on time, be respectful, and be attentive.

Fourth, worship is not about one – it is about many. The worship John saw in Heaven was united, corporate worship. All the saints were gathered in glorious worship of the God of the Universe. The only time in Revelation for independent worship wss when John fell down and worshiped God in light of the incredible visions he received. Even though this was a solitary act of worship, it was precipitated by the corporate worship in Heaven that John observed.

In Revelation chapters four and five John chronicles worship in Heaven. These chapters have been described as the two most wonderful chapters in the Bible. They are an insight into the pure worship we will experience in Heaven. But they also serve as a reminder that when worshiping together our spiritual senses are put on high. That’s why the writer of Hebrews (10:25 CEV) instructed us “ Some people have given up the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord’s coming is getting closer.

I believe that day is upon us. Are you ready to worship?

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All scripture quoted is from the New American Standard Bible, unless otherwise indicated.

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