One of the fundamental purposes of man is to worship God. One sees that in a person's constant drive and need to have to worship something or someone. The problem is not that man is not inclined to worship, but that man is often misdirected to worship the wrong thing.
John 4:23 says, "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him." God is calling and looking for true worship that would truly bring honour and glory to Him. So when we look at today's Christian's notions on worship, do we truly give God the worship He seeks and deserves?
I'd like to help shed some light and debunk four of the most common misleading concepts of worship that are present in today's church.
1. Worship is not four songs before the preaching
Often Christians believe that the four songs, two of which are fast and then two that are slow enough to raise your hands and sway to, we sing in a service should be our basis of worship. And as true as it is that this is a wonderful avenue to worship God, a worship service is not the full definition of worship. Worship is a lifestyle. What you do throughout the day is your act of worship to God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 reminds us, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
2. Worship is not singing
It's not only through singing songs that we worship God. In the same way that lifting our hands and singing at the top our lungs is worship, our jobs are our worship to God. Giving our tithe and being a blessing to others through our generosity is also an act of worship. In fact, singing songs and lifting our hands means nothing if we do not worship God in other areas of our life.
3. Worship is not a set of chord progressions and mad vocal ad-libs
Technical mastery is crucial to a worship team in ushering people into the presence of God. Just as band dynamics and great musical pieces can help people express worship, it can also be the greatest stumbling block of all. The biggest factor is the heart. For what reason do you practice all those riffs and drum solos- for the glory of your band or church or for the glory of the one true God and to help people experience that He is alive?
4. Worship is not a feel-good moment to cry
When we worship God, emotions and phenomenons are not the goal although it is important to note that they happen. The joy, peace and fulfilment that comes from God while we experience His presence does happen, but that is not the main purpose of worship. Worship is the only thing we can give to God that doesn't originally come from Him.
