Worship and God’s Work
For the past few months, I have been lamenting loss and how I have dealt with it through the myriad of inevitable feelings. My blog has reflected them. But in fact, we should honor these feelings. It humbles us; changes us. Hopefully, we look and lean into God through it. But in this week’s blog article, I want to talk about something positive and hopeful as we move through this ever-changing life we live. In this blog, I will discuss two parts of the same calling as Christians – worship and God’s work – and what these things mean to us.
Worship is how we celebrate and commune with God Himself. We get to have an intimate relationship with the very One who sits on the Throne in heaven. Think about that! We do not worship an idea, a teaching or a religion, but the ONE; the Creator of ALL things; a real and awesome being who loves us like no other. While we cannot fathom that kind of love and can never return the sacrifice He gave for us, we can give of ourselves through worship and prayer. In fact, King David writes in Psalm 109:4, “…but I give myself unto prayer.” In the Hebrew, the words translate as “I am prayer.” I like this as I think it is even closer to David’s intended meaning. His prayer means he is giving up his whole self to his Lord.
King David worshiped with abandon. He sang, he danced, he played music and celebrated with his entire being demonstrating his love for God! David was hardly the depiction of a perfect human being and indeed, sinned greatly, but he repented. He understood who God was and humbled himself before Him. He loved God and God loved him. Everything in our lives – yes, everything and everyone – pales in comparison to loving God. After all, He gave up His only Son for us. We need to meditate so deeply on what that means. We love Him and so we celebrate in worship, prayer and in doing His work while here in this life on earth.
I think so many of us believe that in order to “do God’s work” we must be healthy ourselves – mentally and physically. Nothing could be further from the truth. We do His work through our difficulties and challenges. We don’t wait until we are “all better”. I struggle with this as I think that I must have it all figured out before stepping into His mission. I have it backwards. I believe this is what He has been teaching me these past few months. He still wants me to do what He calls me to do even as I learn the lessons of humility, trust and forgiveness. So many say they do not know what He has called them to do. With all due respect, I think we deceive ourselves. We know what He is calling us to do but we are too frightened or feel unready to do so. I understand, but we must do it anyway and step into it; even into the unknown. God is greater than our difficulties. Either we trust Him or we do not. There is nowhere else to go.
It is also important to understand what God’s work is and what it isn’t. In fact, most of us will not be called to the pulpit, write a book or become a worship leader. It might simply be helping our neighbor with groceries or giving to a mission. I have written about this before. We tend to think of our calling as something big and bold but that’s not going to be for most of us. Maybe it’s just inviting a coworker or friend to church. Even when we are in the midst of despair, we can and must still do God’s work. He will meet us where we are. “Even when we don’t feel it, He’s working.” (Way Maker, Leeland)
If we only take a moment to look, we recognize Him in everything. If you don’t think so, take the time to view a sunset or the stars at night. One day, we will see Him face-to-face and will give account of those times He asked us to do His work. We want Him to respond, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:23). In the meantime, help someone else and worship with abandon!
Tonya Noren
February 28, 2021