I love how God works! Yesterday I had worship on my mind. Today, God continued my heart’s search.
When I picked up the mail today I received the P31 Woman November 2008 issue. The second article is called “Here I Am to Worship?” The author, Lori Poppinga, said, “I have come to realize that what takes place in the [worship] service corporately is only as meaningful as what takes place at home individually. If I am not worshipping God intimately in private, then I am not worshipping Him corporately.”
Lori continues, “The real reason I fail to worship [on Sunday morning] is that I am not connected with the worship enhancer, the Holy Spirit. No amount of praise team practice or expensive equipment can change that. Through the power of the Holy Spirit I can live on praise-filled day after another.”
As a pastor’s wife, worship leader and singer, worship is often on my mind. I seek to make worship a moving experience for church members. However, if I only perform a song, I drastically miss the point.
Earlier this year I attended Seminars4Worship. The entire focus of the conference was real life worship. The seminar challenged me to find worship in my daily life. To seek true worship in my heart. And to worship in praise team practice. Then when Sunday morning comes, worship will flow out of my every move. I move from performer to real life worshiper.
These principles aren’t just for worship leaders… it’s for all of us. If you haven’t seen the video from yesterday’s post, don’t miss it, click here.
So, what can we do today to incorporate worship in our every moment?
In our every moment is perfect. God probably wants us to talk to and worship him as frequently as possible. I think of those that I am closest with my Husband, Mom, & Sister. Of course there are the routine get togethers and late night talks paralleling to God with Church worship, bible studying, and late night praying. But also little moments when I think of them I give them a call – “Louie – guess what your son just did..”, “Danielle(Sister)I saw this at the store and I had to get it for you.” “Mom I just called to say I love You.”
How can I drop in on God and think of him in everyday moments the way I can with others in my life? That is a good question!
You are so right! Amen!! Worship begins at home.
I agree that opportunities for worship take place every moment. I would have to respectfully disagree with this statement, “ori continues, “The real reason I fail to worship [on Sunday morning] is that I am not connected with the worship enhancer, the Holy Spirit.”
Sometimes we are just blessed from being at church. If we’re struggling from depression, hurt, etc. we may not “feel connected” to the Holy Spirit, and not have an experience that feels worshipful. At those times, the worship of others or something in the liturgy or the word, or sermon may be what God uses to speak to us.
“Be still and know.” That verse has been going over and over in my mind lately as I worship. We have all become so distracted with tv, cell phones, computers, iPods, etc… that I am not sure that many of us know what it means to “be still and know”.
That video is awesome! I’ve never seen it before. I’ve been struggling with our “contemporary” worship service lately. It seems it has become more about creating a “feeling” and “forcing the presence of God” rather than about truly worshipping him. I much prefer our traditional worship for this reason. We get so consumed about “making something happen” we forget that the real happening comes when we enter through the cross, realizing the grace of such a gift.
Love your thoughts. Love your swirly’s too…did I already tell you that?
peace~eliane
HI Shane–
Thank you for your kind words regarding my article and for the call to real worship. Your website is an encouragement and nicely done. Thanks for being real and keep up the “good” work.
Lori