This is a guest post by Jim Woods. He is a writer, dreamer, coach and chocolate chip cookie addict. You can read more of his posts at his blog here or find him on Twitter. I highly recommend checking out his writing!
If you’d be interested in writing a guest post, I would love to share your story. Please keep submissions under 500 words, and make sure it is related to worship, musical or otherwise. Send me your submission via the contact page.
For many, worship is Christian music and there is no difference between the two. It’s like the terms “tissue” and “Kleenex.” Call it whatever you’d like — but I must admit I’m not a fan of the majority of Christian music. I am quick to tune out anything that feels fake or preconceived. Most of Christian music feels that way to me.
I don’t like a lot of Christian music. Can I still worship?
Sometimes I’ll get more out of a U2 song than a 40-minute long sermon. I might bask in God’s glory while listening to a song that 99% of the planet might not even consider a worship song.
But what about those times that you are just not feeling music as a form of worship? Sometimes, my body fights me. The music isn’t landing on my ears. I hear the notes, but nothing sticks.
My heart is not engaged.
About a year ago, someone made a painting during the message at church. I thought it a little odd at first as my brain initially told me, “That’s not worship.” By the end of the sermon, the artist had a beautiful painting completely inspired by the message. I now realize my initial response was completely wrong.
True worship is giving glory back to our Creator.
Worship is using our talents and abilities, whatever they are.
If you are a painter, you paint.
If you are a singer, you sing.
If you are an accountant, you crunch numbers.
If you are a writer, you write.
With this thought in mind, I started coming to church with pen and paper in hand. I take notes from the message, but also let God guide me where He wants me to go as a writer.
Some might not view writing as worship. And that’s alright. Worship is not about what others think; it is about God.
Worship is using what God has given us for HIS glory, not ours.
I challenge you to rethink how you view worship.
How can you use the gifts you’ve been given for God’s glory?
Great thoughts, Jim. Pretty much what I think. Jamie, thanks for sharing Jim’s post. I may write one for you.
Thanks Larry. It has taken me a while to come to this conclusion honestly. It’s easy to just think Christian music at church=worship and that’s all worship consists of!
I would love that!
I’ve been looking for a way to define worship. I like yours, Jim: True worship is giving glory back to the Creator. Worship is using what God has given us for His glory, not ours.
Thanks Katie! 🙂 You are great at giving God glory. I hope to do that more and more-especially with my writing.
Thanks, Jim! I appreciate the encouragement!
Katie
Fantastic post, as always Jim 🙂
Thanks so much buddy! I really appreciate it Mitch!! Keep worshiping as you crank out the great blog work!!
This is a really cool perspective! So for me, writing C++ code for robots is worship. ^_^
Ha! I love this!
Thanks so much. Haha love it!
There is a lot of Christian music that I don’t like, but I really enjoy worship music – especially the songs that really focus on God rather than the worshiper. At the same time, I appreciate the fact that worship isn’t about music – it’s about Him & our response to Him. One person might worship while singing in church while someone else might worship by serving food to a homeless person. It’s exactly what you said, Jim – “worship is using what God has given us for His glory, not ours.”
For me, worship looks different all the time. On Sunday it’s through music. Monday through Friday it’s how by how I treat my co-workers. On Saturday’s, it’s how I serve or give of my time or write or whatever. Worship looks different every day. But the end result always ought to be giving Him glory in what we do.
Denise, that’s great that worship looks different all the time. It really should! That is a really good thing. I’ll be honest, I wish I could say how I treat my co-workers Mon-Fri is worship. That’s something I need to work on!
Good post man. Agree with all this.
I hate singing and am terrible at it… so I reckon it’s stink if that’s what I’m giving back to God…
“In the course of time Cain
brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And
Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of
his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on
Cain and his offering he did not look with favor.” (Genesis 4:3-5)
I agree. I didn’t originally like the contemporary style of our church, or the fact that we had aritsts come and paint during our services either. It was way out of my comfort zone. However, I have also learned that worship is not just about what happens during the service at church on Sunday. I believe it is using what God has given us, and finding Him in the normal, mundane, everyday things.
For example, one of the places I feel closest to God is often in an airplane. Seeing the landscapes from a plane help me understand the awe and beauty of God in a way that I can’t when I’m in my own little circle at home. I also see Him in so many things. Part of that is because I am not focused on me, but also because He truly is everywhere around us. We just have to open our eyes to see things differently.
Great post, Jim!
I have the gift of writing…sometimes I stop at a coffee shop and throw down things on paper after I ride my beach cruiser to church – about 5 miles. I also worship through my sense of humor…it lightens some heavy hearts when I laugh…the best medicine.
A sense of humor is a great way to worship!