The Shape of Worth - Worship

Breathe: An Exploration of Spiritual Disciplines

Worship is a response to God. A vivid sense of God’s love creates in us a deep longing for Him. Worship is form of celebration for who God is and what He does. Worship and celebration flow from and feed into other spiritual disciplines, especially study. “Study without worship breeds arrogance but study with worship can result in more substantive worship” (Johnson 259). Worship is also enhanced by the practices of solitude and silence because they teach us to be still and seek God. Meditation on scripture, prayer and confession are all forms of worship. Worship enhances our sense of community and inspires us to service.

The study of God in his word and works opens the way for the disciplines of worship and celebration. in worship we engage ourselves with, dwell upon, and express the greatness, beauty, and goodness of god through thought and the use of words, rituals, and symbols. (Dallas Willard, The spirit of discipline).

To respond to God is to focus on the great worth of God. Often, though, we find ourselves wanting to be entertained. Instead of responding to God, we hope “God’s representatives”—the pastor, worship leader-- will lift our spirits and give us spiritual goose bumps. When we assume this attitude, we drain the essence of worship—which is all about responding to God.

transforming exercises

· Try to picture “your right hand upholds me.” How exactly is God’s right hand holding you or upholding you? How do you need to respond to being held in such a way?

· Read Psalm 61 or 62. Ask yourself what picture of God is presented here? How should I respond?

· While lying in bed (before falling asleep or after waking or during sleeplessness) whisper, “I remember you, O God.” (v. 6)

· If you were to bring to corporate worship an object that symbolized your dedication to God or the friendship between you and God, what would it be?

· Try a different tradition or experience of corporate worship sometime this season.

· Before attending a worship service, plan beforehand that when your mind wanders or you feel distracted or annoyed, to pray for someone near you or up front.

· Use a concordance to look up the words celebrate (or celebration), Lord. Journal your findings and seek to get a sense of how God celebrates.

· Consider what you can do to prepare yourself for corporate worship. Make a plan to be fully focused on God.

“Worship is the practice of regularly seeking to bring the focus of our being upon God. It is the discipline of returning to the true center of our individual and corporate existence as God’s people.” (Robert Mulholland)