pondering worship (Essentials Blue) February 6, 2009

For: The Institute of Contemporary And Emerging Worship Studies, St. Stephen’s University, Essentials Blue Online Worship Theology Course with Dan Wilt

I’m thinking about worship tonight.  I’m thinking about how I can absolutely feel it, down to the deep parts in me, that I was created to worship.  And it’s not just the singing and dancing type of worship.  In reading Dan Wilt’s Essentials in Worship Theology: The Nature of Worship this week, he talked about the definition of worship, taking it out of the Christian context.  “Worship is the ascription of ultimate value and worth (the act) to a person, place or thing (the object) by the focusing of all activities of the human spectrum (the activity) on that object’s value and honor (the reason).” [1]  It’s so natural to give value and worth to something or someone and to do it in an extreme sort of way. 

I was just thinking today at the elementary school where I teach, about the “fads” that the kids (and not just kids…) get into.  Pokemon cards, High School Musical, anything Disney Channel, video games, clothing brands, sports teams, etc.  are the things of worth to many of these.  Pretty much harmless, yes, but our natural human desire is to just latch on to something.  This leads to acquiring all of the paraphernalia that goes with the fad (i.e. EVERYTHING has to be Hannah Montana…)

I’m so glad that, if we choose to let him, God switches us out of this and turns our focus to him.  It’s a relief to me when I know I’m putting my attention on One who absolutely deserves my gaze and my time.  And although I constantly battle the other things that take up my time and attention, I pray that I would keep my worship on Jesus.  That my LIFE would be worship to Jesus.  It’s the only good response I can give for God’s pursuit of me.   

“Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit?  to be out of your sight?  If I climb to the sky, you’re there!  If I go underground you’re there!  If I flew on morning’s wings to the far western horizon, you’d find me in a minute – you’re already there waiting!”    -   Psalms 139: 7-10 (The Message)

[1] Wilt, Essentials in Worship Theology: The Nature of Worship, 40.

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