Worship in Motion

"So whether you eat or drink 

or whatever you do, 

do it all for the glory of God."

- 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

Have you ever heard someone say, "Things just aren't made like they used to be" or "People just don't take pride in their work like they used to"? If you've ever owned something - anything - or dealt with someone at a customer service desk or the DMV, you know that's the case (even if you don't know firsthand how things "used to be" I think this is a fair assumption - there's plenty of room for improvement nowadays.)

But regardless of whether that broad generalization is or isn't true, something is: there's a problem in society today. It could be called not "taking pride in your work," or a "lack of work ethic," or anything. Call it what you want. People today do the bare minimum to get by.

This can be a problem in itself.

The real problem, though, lies in people not doing things with the mindset of glorifying God in/by/through it. Because this has eternal repercussions.

I can see how people who aren't Christians might have a hard time doing their best in everything they do. Who are they trying to please? If a task is insignificant, or if no one is watching, or if no one cares, or if it's just difficult and we don't feel like doing it...then what is the catalyst? What's the impetus? What pushes us to do our absolute best if everything seems so...purposeless?

My purpose, identity and motivation lie in Jesus Christ alone.

And if you're a Christian you can take comfort in the fact that yours do, too.

I'm thankful to have His love in my heart because He gives me a reason to do my best in everything I do. I'm not trying to please myself, my parents, my professors or my friends. I'm doing everything to please a higher authority. This higher authority just happens to be the One who created me with the goal of pleasing Him. (Coincidence? I think not.)

As Christians, every single thing we do can be an act of worship. And it should be. We talked yesterday about how God is deserving of our praise and worship. ("I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.")

Darlene Zschech said that worship is our lives being poured out to our Savior.

The sooner we understand that and apply it to our lives and actions, the better off we will be.

Our eyes truly will be opened when we realize that worship is not something we only experience on Sundays, when we're "feeling it," when we're pleased with the song selection in church and we get goosebumps on the back of our necks, when we pause to take Communion.

That can be worship - but that also is a gross oversimplification of what worship is and how we can do it.

Worship is basking in His glory not only when the lights are dimmed in the sanctuary, but when the sun rises and when it sets...when I'm woken up at 4 a.m. because I have to help a drunk person get to bed safely...when I'm up all night studying for an exam in a class that all I "need" is a C to pass...(See the trend here? Lack of sleep. But anyway.)...when on a snowy and cold morning I'm walking to attend one of my classes - and it doesn't even take attendance...

Worship leader Daniel Bashta has an EP called "My Worship in Motion." I love that title. It perfectly displays the fact that worship is something we put into action, something we can take to the streets. It's something that God has called us to take to the streets - to every street.

What's holding us back? It's time to put one foot in front of the other. It's time to worship God in everything we do, and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the darkest corners of the earth - through our actions and our words.

If we go with this mentality through the mundane and routine actions that constitute much of our daily schedule, then a desire to spread His love to others will follow.

We need to worship our Lord in and through every moment of every day of every season in every year. One day at a time. One breath at a time.

Imagine the revolution that would take place in our world if every single Christian rose up and acted with the primary motivation and sole purpose of worshiping Christ, in everything and with everything.

So tie those shoes. Let's go.

Let's put our worship in motion.