Worship Your Way

Practice of Grace # 4 - Worship Your Way

Thank you for your responses last week. You shared some powerful discoveries as you answered God’s question, “What is it you want?”

·      “I want to slow down.”

·      “I’ve never really thought about what I want. Especially, if Jesus is asking me.”

·      “More of you (God), less of me.”

You are courageous to consider God’s thoughtful enquiry! For those of you who weren’t quite sure about answering the question or maybe didn’t even think about considering the questions; I hope you’re inspired!

As we continue learning more about spiritual disciplines or practices of grace, I want to help you organize the disciplines into an acronym; WORSHIP. Each discipline that is shared with you this year will fit into one of the letters of WORSHIP.

For instance, in week 1 you were encouraged as a practice of grace to “Set aside a chunk of time each day.” This particular practice is categorized under the letter S. In week 2, last week the practice was to consider God asking YOU the question, “What is it you want?” That is an intimate question asked by someone who cares for you. You are Opening yourself up to God by reflecting on this question.

Systematizing what you’re learning and practicing may help you to feel more prepared.

This week our focus is on the letter W-Worship.

WORSHIP

When you think of worship, what comes to mind? Music, hands lifted up, singing or dancing?

Here are a few additional ideas of what worship is.

~Worship is our response to God’s initiative. ~Richard Foster

~In the process of being worshiped… God communicates his presence to men. ~C.S. Lewis

~Worship is the intentional attitudes and actions of focusing on God. – Byron Spradlin

When we worship something, we give it a lot of attention, time and energy. Sometimes the things we give our attention to doesn’t really help us. It doesn’t really meet our needs as it may temporarily meet a want or hardship.

What are your longings?

God notices a longing in each of our hearts. God sees YOU. What do you yearn for?

·      Do you need more time to get things done?

·      Do you want answers to questions? or

·      Want more ­­­­­of­­­­­­________.

You fill in the blank. You have desires and needs. God meets you right where you are, invites you to rest and encourages you into more with him!

The Holy Spirit knows the spiritual practices, relationships, and experiences that best suit your unique communion with him. He knows how to help you move into the unforced rhythms of grace that Jesus offers in Matt.11: 28-30.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

When we think about worship most of us think about the allocated time for music in our church service. It is a beautiful time to commune with God through music AND there are many other ways to worship God.

Worship Your Way

God’s living word gives us many examples of how we can enter into a relationship with God. It’s exciting to know that we have so many options! Here are just a few to read through and consider; Hebrews 12:28-29, Psalm 63, John 4:23-24

There are many examples in Scripture (click on the video above) that show us how we can personally and corporately worship God. We share our love and reverence for him through the ways we worship.

You can worship your way! You are unique and so is your relationship with God. Get creative, notice the ways in which you already give God your love, attention, and worship.

He joyously enters into your time with one another. Worship away!