Now, I know that stuff like this happens at Dolphin games, but to see once weary and hopeless faces light up and feel (not just see) the energy explode and the expectation rise was fun, even life-giving. Whenever I consider what transformation a sports fan can experience, I think to myself…shouldn’t every Christian believer be able to experience this kind of transformation when they worship the One True God. I don’t mean to imply that all worship is “ecstatic” but shouldn’t it be at least enthusiastic? The meaning of the word “enthusiastic” is literally “in the Spirit of God.” And for that matter, why would we only want to be “in the Spirit of God” one hour a week. I know Dolphin fans don’t just get excited about their team on Sundays. They keep reminders around them all the time about how much they love the Fins. They read the news & reports every day to stay up to date. They talk to other fans about the season.
So, again I ask, why shouldn’t believers be that “into” their God? To have daily reminders of God, read the Word every morning, talk with other believers and get one another excited about what’s going to happen. Worship is more than a Sunday service; it’s more than music or singing; worship is a lifestyle of delighting in, that is taking pleasure in, God. One of our God-given purposes on earth is to worship God. Remember “glorify God and enjoy him forever.” Romans 12:1 says, “Therefore I urge you in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.” But I like the paraphrase in the Message the best. It reads, “So, here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life–your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life–and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.”
Consider your heart for worship and ask yourself this: When it comes time to experience God’s glory have you left the stadium early? Stayed at home? Or are you on the edge of your seat expecting the best to come? For the next few weeks in this devotional I’m going to talk about how we can embrace worship as part of our everyday, walking around life. It’s part of our purpose…and we all want to know what on earth am I here for. See you this weekend!
Peace, Pastor Amber
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