Worship God Daily
Growing up in a small town church in the middle of Minnesota, my understanding of worship was pulling out the tattered faded red congregational hymnal every Sunday morning as roughly 100 people stood up to the sound of pages turning. Gradually everyone settled in at the correct page and then joined in as the high school music teacher began to sing. Clearly and confidently his rich bass voice flawlessly lead the familiar hymns.
It would be years later before I understood what God ultimately desires of his children and how God defines true worship.
In his book, The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren argues that there are five God-ordained purposes for us: worship, community, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism. He supports each area with Biblical references as all being key to effective living.
Rick Warren is not the only advocate for worship. The writer of Psalm 100:2 (NLT) tells us to, “Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy.”
If we are instructed to worship in God’s word, it must be very important to God. Anything important to God would not be intended to be saved for only Sunday morning singing, but instead intended to become part of our daily priorities.
Easier said than done, I know. However, God didn’t make worship important just for his benefit but also for ours.
Worship:
Renews our strength.
Is critical to our faith.
Celebrates God.
Brings us joy.
Is key to being in God’s presence.
How do we go through or plan out our day to develop habits that intertwine worship in our activities? Is it possible? Despite the engrained definition I grew up with, finding other ways of worship has been immensely rewarding.
According to Delesslyn A. Kennebrew in a 2012 Christianity Today article, “We worship God because he is God. Period.” No specifics here, no required place, no demanded method. Just worship.
Worship is an expression of love or reverence towards God. How then can we worship—showing our love and reverence for God—outside of Sunday morning corporate-designed worship?
There are many ways we can worship. We can:
Acknowledge God’s many amazing qualities.
Pray a prayer.
Consider the needs of others.
Listen, sing and meditate on songs of praise.
Write a “God’s attributes” poem.
Notice the glories of nature.
Read and reflect on his word.
Journal your “God thoughts”.
Donate money (tithe).
Share encouraging words.
Serve unselfishly.
Obey God.
Dance like David.
Express thankfulness all day long.
Create artwork reflecting God’s glory.
Give your day to God.
Share your Jesus story.
The list goes on and on…and you will find what clicks for you. Anything you do that expresses your faith in and love for God is an act of worship.
Be deliberate, make it personal, plan it out and do so even when, no especially when, you don’t feel like it!
God is good. He will reward you. As Isaiah 40:31 (KJV) says, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Go.
Be.
Do worship.