Postkiwi

“You created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created.”
Revelation 4:11 (New Living Translation)

“The Lord takes pleasure in his people”
Psalm 149:4a

Every now and then I am stunningly reminded that God actually enjoys my life. What a difference this makes! Instead of an image of God the disapproving teacher saying “You could do much better than this Macleod”, there’s this image of God the parent who takes pleasure in every point of progress in my life. A God who marvels in the emerging creation. God who loves the intricacies of my innermost being.

This is a great way to start exploring worship. Worship as a delightful response to a delighting God. It’s a reminder that we are not the only participants in worship. God is active far more than we are - its a 2-way experience. Worship is not just something we ‘do’. It’s something we take part in.

I appreciate Rick Warren’s reminder that worship is far deeper, greater, and wider than the forms we associate it with. Like music. We can worship without ever singing a note. In my house church we don’t have ‘congregational singing’. But we certainly worship God in lots of other ways. I also appreciate Rick’s reminder that worship is not for our benefit. I would say that there are many benefits to being in a worship experience. But we’re there to be lovers of God rather than consumers of worship culture.

Rick tells us worship is not a part of our lives, it is our life. Excellent point. I like to talk about worship experiences when describing services of worship. Worship continues as we live our lives to the glory of God. It can be unconscious or conscious. We don’t always have to be telling God, “Here I am to worship”, to be true worshippers.

I found Rick’s final illustration somewhat incomplete. He talks about when he first fell in love with his wife. He thought of her constantly through the day, during every activity. By constantly thinking of her, he was abiding in her love. He finishes the chapter by saying real worship is all about falling in love with Jesus. Well - I wonder if he thinks about his wife all day now. The emotional rush of discovering someone for the first time certainly encourages the preoccupation associated with falling in love. But what happens when the rush wears off?

I know there have been times in my life when I’ve been entranced by God. But at other times I’ve been anything but. But all the way through, I’ve loved God. Love is so much more than emotional rush. Love calls me to offer myself, completely, in my lifestyle, my attitudes, my response to my environment, my transparency before God, my delight of God. All in response to the God who loves me more than I could ever ever comprehend!