Worship

What am I thinking about worship?

Well on my walk into church, I am thinking about all the things that I have done and need to do. And I pray and ask God to help me put them all aside for the next 30-minutes. There will be time to think about those things soon enough. I waste HOURS listening to talk radio and listening to the gibberish in my head - right now I need to engage in worship. Lord, let me give you my very best. Missionary Martyr Jim Elliott said, "Wherever you are - be all there."

Then I start singing. I give up any thought about whether i like the song or not. Worship is not about my taste in songs, whether the song is performed well or sung in my range. The song is a tool to assist me in considering the character and power of God. I think about the words and how they apply to me. If it is about grace, I think about how desperately I need forgiveness. If it is about the power of God, I think about how that power is harnessed for His glory. God's love, my adoption. All of this pushes me deeper and deeper into worship.

I and I often will look back at my family, if I am not sitting with them. How they are processing worship is a great gauge on where their heart is.

Then the announcements - I listen intently to the announcements because as i listen and read thru the bulletin God will speak to me, telling me what I should participate in and what awesome events i need to say no to. But I also assess my worship. I go back in my mind. If I had difficulty entering in, I ask why. If I had a particularly song that ministered, I will take note and maybe use that during my weeks devotions.

Be intentional. Squeeze everything you can out of worship.