The Heart of Worship

As I'm preparing to lead worship for the Greenhills Bible Study, I stumbled upon a couple of pages. They talk about worship, and how many people can take it for granted. In church, it's usually at the beginning of the service, and people use it as an excuse to come late, thinking it's only singing. But I think worship (or rather, worship in song, or praise) should be one of the highlights of the service. It's where we offer praises to our God for all that He's done for us. And it's also the time where we can truly quiet down our hearts, and prepare ourselves to receive His Word.

Now, most people who know me know that "Worship" is a hot topic with me. I love to know all about it, and I love to talk about all its aspects. But this time, I'll just talk about one: experience. One of my favourite quotes which I heard from a pastor in Toronto (Tim Tang) goes something like this: "If your worship life during the week is excellent, then on Sunday morning, it will spill into your worship. If, however, your worship life during the week was horrible or non-existent, then on Sunday morning, your worship will be subpar." Those aren't the exact words, cuz I don't remember them, but that's the gist of it. Our experiences during the week will shape how we worship on Sunday. If I had a terrible week, getting into fights with people, doing shady things, etc., then on Sunday, I won't have the right heart to worship God. But if during the week, I take some time to think about how God has blessed me, or take time to listen to God, then on Sunday morning, my worship will be an extension of my week's worship. That is why we need to spend some time in quiet meditation and prayer. Think about what God has done for us during the week, how God has blessed us. Sometimes, we don't even realize it until we take the time to think about it. Do you realize that everything you have was given to you by God? Have you thanked Him for it? Where you are now in life is a measure of God's providence and guidance. We don't have to wait for Sunday to praise Him. In our daily devotions and prayer, we can give Him thanks. And on Sunday morning, we'll be so full of joy that we'll just explode in praise. Don't get me wrong. I'm not talking about outward appearances. That's just a side-effect of what's happening inside. It's like when you're excited about something, you'll be screaming, or shouting, or shaking outwardly.

The song, "The Heart of Worship" is one of my all-time favourite songs, because it describes worship in such a beautiful way. When you take away all the supporting aspects of worship (the music, the instruments, the building, the comfort), would your worship of God still be the same? Would you still want to praise God? Or do you need the songs, the music, the church before you can worship God? God doesn't want the songs. He wants what's it your heart. He wants true worship. John 4:24, "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

"The Heart of Worship"

When the music fades, and all is stripped away, and I simply come.
Longing just to bring something that's of worth, that will bless Your heart.
I'll bring You more than a song, for a song in itself, is not what You have required.
You search much deeper within, through the way things appear.
You're looking into my heart.

I'm coming back to the heart of worship.
And it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus.
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it.
When it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus.

King of endless worth, no one could express how much You deserve.
Though I'm rich and poor, all I have is Yours, every single breath.
I'll bring You more than a song, for a song in itself, is not what You have required.
You search much deeper within, through the way things appear.
You're looking into my heart.

I'm coming back to the heart of worship.
And it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus.
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it.
When it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus.