Real Worship

²³ ”But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. ²⁴ ”God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”  -  John 4:23-24 (NKJV)

What is worship? Have you ever asked yourself that question? Often people equate worship with a particular form or ritual. I once spoke to a man who told me that the reason why he began attending his present church is that he looked in the door while a service was in progress and saw people with both hands in the air. In this gentleman’s estimation, two hands in the air was “real worship.” It seems that real worship can be affected in a variety of ways according to the cultural understandings of the worshipers. With so many different worship styles, what then is “real worship?”

The subject of “real worship” came up in a conversation that Jesus had with an adulterous Samaritan woman. (See John chapter 4) After perceiving Jesus to be a “prophet” the woman points out that the Jewish people – Jesus was Jewish – worshiped in Jerusalembut that the Samaritans worshiped in their home area of Samaria. The woman’s statement also implied the different understandings of God and His word which existed between the Jews and the Samaritans.  Jesus teaches her (and us) that it is not this place or that place – not in where we worship, but in what’s going on in us when we worship. Worship may be expressed in forms and rituals, but those forms must be expressions of our actual relationship with God. Worship is the total giving of ourselves to God. Worship is love of God expressed in obedience. The forms of worship are simply expressions of that relationship.

As we live day-to-day in obedience to and love of God, we live out worship in spirit and in truth.

Grateful!

I was walking across the parking lot at my bank a few months back. A man was heading in the opposite direction about to pass me. I didn’t know him but he seemed friendly looking. “How are you doing,” I asked. “Grateful,” was his one word response. The sound of his voice made me believe he meant it.

That response struck me. Of the hundreds of people whom I have greeted or returned greetings in the past six months, this man’s response stands out. I can still see the contours of his face, the shape of his body, his slightly uneven gait. I can still hear his whispery, scratchy voice.

This man’s response both blessed and challenged me. It encouraged me to see a man who programmed his life to reflect gratitude. I know nothing about his immediate circumstances. Looking at him, I would guess his lot is like most of ours: a mixed bag, some good – some bad. But, I’m also challenged. Too often I stumble through my day thinking only of what is going wrong. I fail to even try to think of the many blessings which are mine. So many, that it would be impossible to count them. Some I have had for so long I now believe I own them. I take them for granted.

When people ask, “How are you,” our response is usually a terse “fine” (regardless of how we actually feel). Other responses can range from “OK” to “I’m here.” A few of us have learned to say, “blessed” (I like that one, too). My typical response is “well,” as in “healthy.”

I woke up this morning. The sun is shining. I enjoyed two cups of coffee and a muffin that was given to me. I have a wonderful wife, two fine sons and a daughter-in-law. Today, two friends from my past connected with me, via Facebook. I had encouraging messages from two other Facebook friends. I prayed, and read the scriptures. I could go on, but I think you get the picture.

I am grateful.