There was a time when I would have said that worship was something I did on Sunday mornings. To worship, I thought, meant to “go to church,” to sing hymns, participate in the liturgy, and listen to pastor’s sermon. It is most certainly true that this is worship. But, it is only one kind of worship
Romans 12: 1 describes a worship that takes place every minute of every day. God’s Word says to me: … In view of God’s mercy … offer your body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.
So, what does worship mean to me? It means living my life in such a way that brings glory to God. If I truly believe that God had great mercy on me – a poor, miserable sinner, and that Jesus Christ sacrificed His life because of my sins, then I have the opportunity to live like a new person! I have the opportunity to respond to God’s great love in a way that pleases Him. That should not only be on Sunday during congregational worship, it should be on every day of the week and in every situation. The choices I make, the work I do, the way I serve others, the attitude I have – all of these common, every day thoughts and actions are either worship of God … or worship of self.
It is far too easy to worship self. I do this every time I insist on my own way, or put my needs before others, or whine, or pout, or feel sorry for myself. But, to worship God, my Creator and Redeemer, means to let the Holy Spirit who lives in me alter my thinking, choices and behavior.
Because of God’s great mercy, I am a forgiven sinner. Because of what Jesus Christ did for me, each new day is an opportunity to start over again – to hear the whisper of the Spirit, and to live differently than the world around me. Because of Jesus, I have the ability to make choices that are holy and pleasing to God.
My prayer is that I will worship on Sunday with thanksgiving and praise for what God has done. Then, during my Monday through Saturday worship, my prayer is that I will live in response to that great mercy!
(LINDA BARTLETT)