We’re continuing our study of the building blocks. Have you completed your Soul Care Plan for 2017? .Soul Care Plan Link Today’s topic is building block “W”, for Worship.
Today’s scripture: Psalm 42:4, I Corinthians 14:26-33, Revelation 4:2-12 (NRSV) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Melody Merida):
A few years ago I saw a documentary which showed a young girl faking the ability to speak in tongues to please her parents and her pastor. At another point this same girl makes fun of what she calls “dead churches.” She describes a dead church as one that doesn’t include corporate speaking in tongues, whose members don’t shout out for joy but instead sing worship songs quietly and reverently. Clearly, this little girl has been taught that only one style of worship pleases God. My Quaker friends who worship by sitting silently together listening for the Spirit’s guidance would, I’m sure, beg to differ.
In today’s passages we see very different forms of worship being offered. David’s worship reverie seems to align with the style presented in the documentary, with lots of shouting in the Psalms “festive throng.” But what a different picture given for worship in I Corinthians. The author is very clear about the orderliness he feels should be present in corporate worship. And then we see, in this last worship example from the last book of the Bible, a solemn, majestic, royal worship gathering.
So, which one is the best way to worship? Perhaps the very idea that this question comes to my mind shows that I have some growing to do. Maybe there are different styles of worship for different people and one isn’t any better than the other. That little girl in the documentary might consider my style of worship dead, while I might find her style of worship chaotic. And that’s okay.
Perhaps the question we should be asking is whether or not our personal worship is genuinely focused on praising and bringing glory to God. Whether it involves speaking in tongues or silent reflection, chanting or shouting, that genuine God-centered worship is the type of worship I want to experience.
Thought for the day: Am I more worried about what others think of my worship, or what God thinks of my worship? There’s really only one opinion that matters.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.