What does it mean to worship? When I was growing up, I would have told you that worship was an event that we attended at the church on Sunday mornings. Mom and Dad forced us to wake up early and sit through the service for an hour. After worship was over, we would go to the local restaurant that had all you can soft-serve ice cream. That was the reward — or incentive — for going to worship. But as I got older, worship became less of an event and more participatory. Worship was no longer something I went to, but it was something that I did. I would sing, pray, and listen as I worshipped for an hour each week. In the last 10-15 years, worship has become a way of life. I have begun to view worship as my response to what God is doing in my life. Many times that response is celebration, but it can also be crying out to God when I am struggling to sense God’s presence. What does worship mean to you?
In 2 Samuel 6, King David shows us a great example of worship as he leads the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem. David had heard of God’s blessing on the household of Obededom, and he sent for the ark of the covenant to be brought to Jerusalem. Along the way, David and his men were rejoicing and stopped every six steps to celebrate what God was doing. In 2 Samuel 6:14-15, it states, “Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sounds of trumpets.” As you can imagine, David’s wife was not pleased that her husband was dancing in his underwear in the streets, and she tells him his actions are not the way a king should act. David responds, “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel — I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes,” (vv. 21-22).
As we begin a new school year, I want to invite you to become more undignified as you celebrate what God is doing in your life. Worship is not an event that we schedule, it is a celebration of all God is doing in our life. When we gather for worship on Sunday mornings, imagine what it would be like if all of us came ready to praise God for all that God is doing. No holding back! Because that’s what worship is supposed to be.
If you are in town this weekend and everyone in your house is healthy, than I hope you will be with us on Sunday morning at 8:45 and 11:00! Have a great weekend!
With joy and celebration,
Matt
P.S. Don’t forget to join us for our Back to School Bash tomorrow from 11 AM-2 PM on the front lawn of the church. Our kids will be celebrating the end of summer break as they get ready to go back to school. There will be food, a giant water slide, games, and more. For more information, please contact Heather Woods.
Royston First United Methodist Church 