Have you ever wondered about that phrase "acceptable worship?" Sometimes I see things that make me question the world's definition of worship.
The dictionary defines worship in two ways. First, as a noun, meaning the feeling or expression of reverence or adoration for a deity. Second, it's defined as a verb, meaning to show reverence and adoration for a deity, or to honor with religious rites.
Nowhere in either of those definitions did I see I, me, or my. In other words, worship isn't about me. It's about God. The Father. The Son. The Spirit.
I hear a lot these days about the reasons young people are leaving the faith. I read articles about all the things churches need to do to attract and keep people. I've seen churches that offer every kind of entertainment imaginable. I know people who complain about not getting anything out of going to church.
But honestly? God never told us it was for our pleasure or entertainment, did He? He demanded man worship Him, and He demanded that worship be according to His desires, His rules, not ours. Don't get me wrong. I take great pleasure and joy in worshiping God. But I also believe the congregation I belong to follows the Bible in our ways of worship.
I mean, shouldn't we learn something from Leviticus 10? Was it really "strange fire" that caused the deaths of Nadab and Abihu? Or was it, perhaps, the disobedience represented by that strange fire? Was it because they didn't follow the Lord's directions for worship?
And shouldn't that give us all pause? Shouldn't it make us question if our worship is pleasing to God ... or only pleasing to us?
Worship matters. The Who and the how. And we should pray we're always doing it in the way God's word shows us, whether through direct commandment or inferred by example.
Is our worship for us? Or for God?
It matters.
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