Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Worship
By Peggy Kleckner

“God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”
John 4:24 (NIV)

I have spent some time pondering true worship. What does it look like? What does it feel like?

I have come to the conclusion that it is a mystery. There have been times when worship has been painful. Just to utter His words of truth aloud and to stay in the shelter of His embrace has been to deny all that I see with my eyes and all that I feel with my emotions. The words form from practice, from habit, and from deep within. Somehow, my heart still sings the notes that I, in my flesh, am not experiencing and I feel divided, a sort of a civil war within. My Captain is leading and I follow, though I follow in tears and great distress. I meet Him in the garden where He too poured out His anguish.

At other times, worship is a deep joy bubbling up and spilling out and into all the pockets of my life, the crevices of old wounds, the dents of this earthly life. My heart is singing and my body is dancing to the tune. I am lighthearted and lifted above the ordinary.

Sometimes a song leads me to worship, sometimes nature, sometimes a friend, sometimes a distress. So many views and glimpses of Him. So many opportunities to reach out and touch the hem of His garment.

How can one describe “worship”?

Why does Christ say that we must worship in spirit and in truth? I think it is because the Spirit is given to those who believe in Jesus as their Savior, those who are now called His children. How can anyone offer spiritual, from-the-inside-out worship to one whom they do not know?

Why truth? Christ called Himself the truth. Can I come to Him falsely, still denying my own sin? Yes, indeed I can. But I am then denying Him, denying the truth of my own need for a Savior. To deny my need is to deny God’s answer.

He wants me to bring out - - or actually, allow Him  to bring out into the open - - all the areas of my life that need healing, my hidden wounds. He comes to set me free, but I have to truthfully admit to my bondages.

To worship then also means to admit my deep need of a Savior, to bow down and ask for rescue.

How about you? What is the mystery of true worship…what does it look like…what does it feel like…?

GOING DEEPER:
1.  How do you worship Him in spirit and in truth?
2.  Have you been denying His right to rule and reign in any particular area of your life? Will you humble yourself before Him?

FURTHER READING:


Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - - two sons and two stepsons, and is an active encourager at Oakwood Church in Delafield.