To Seek and Declare
When we lived in Colorado we would hike often. I thought it was important to teach my then five year-old son about nature, hiking, and being outdoors in general. While I was teaching him about nature, he taught me about worship.
Almost every time we started out on a trail, he would open his arms wide and exclaim, “I just love seeing all of God’s glory!”
Isn’t that the essence of worship; seeing God in something and declaring it?
Where do you see God in your life?
Sometimes to see God, you need to look for Him. It’s about intentionally seeking Him, and expecting to find Him. In Jeremiah 20:13 God promised, “You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.” (ISV)
If you look, you can see God in all things.
You can see God in the smile of a tiny baby. You can see Him in the love of your family. You can seek God in your job and you will find Him in the blessings you receive. In the paycheck you take home. In the people you help, and in those who help you. You can seek God and find Him in the beauty of spring, in the sunrise and sunset, in the way the daffodil blooms in the spring, and in the way the leaves turn auburn in the fall.
When you seek Him in your surroundings, you will find Him.
When you seek Him in the ordinary, you will find Him.
When you seek Him in your every day experiences, you will find Him, right there with you.
When you seek Him…you WILL find Him.
He will not just be there in the good times, where it’s easier to see Him. He will also be there in the trials. When you are lost in the dark, distracted by your grief, or laying sick in bed. God does not leave us, nor will He forsake us. He says, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” (Isaiah 41:13 NIV)
It is God who gives us comfort in our trouble. Who gives us a way out of our temptations. It is God who provides peace in the storm, strength for the fight, and courage for the battle. He isn’t just a God for the good times. He is a God for all times…even in your trials…in your darkness…in your distress.
This is why Paul said to focus on whatever is true, and noble, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable, and on that which is excellent or praiseworthy, in his letter to the Philippians (Philippians 4:8).
Because when you seek the good you’ll be able to see the fingerprints of God in all things.
Seeing God in your life is the first step, but that is not the whole of worship. Worship is also about declaring God’s glory.
When you seek Him, you will find Him! When you find Him, declare His goodness!
Declaring God’s goodness in your life is your personal worship.
It is a way you can daily declare the glory of God for yourself and as a witness to others.
It is a way you worship God when you are not at a church worship service.
So when you see God’s glory, say it out loud!
“Thank You for the raise!”
“Thank You for your provision.”
“Thank You for my family.”
“Thank You for showing yourself to me through this!”
“You give me peace in my trial.”
“You are my provider, my hope and my joy!”
Or, as my son declared on the trails in the Colorado mountains, “I love to see Your glory, God!”
This is the heart of worship.
Did you feel His love today? Declare it!
Can you see His hand protecting you? Say it!
Are you trusting Him to get you through a trial? Put a voice to it!
Do you have peace in an impossible situation? Shout it out!
Look for God and you will see Him.
Then when you see Him, declare His goodness.
This is worship.