Worshipping the Unknown God-Part 1

I have a deep love for music.  Being born and raised in the heart of the South where the sound of music is richer than the Delta dirt along the Mississippi, maybe it should be expected.  Whether it is the timeless melodies of folk music, the knee-slapping rhythm of bluegrass, or the catchy beats of modern tunes, I have an appreciation for the unique gift when an artist is not just singing a song, but instead telling a story.  

Tuesday night, I had the chance to attend a live show by quite possibly my favorite band.  (This is debatable, and subject to change.)  The room was filled with energy from the crowd that is seldom produced or experienced at a live show.  It was amazing to look around the room, and see a wave of people completely engaged with the artists, singing each song word for word at the top of their lungs.  (Although I wish the guy next to me had either refrained or learned the words.)  Groupies were waving their hands, closing their eyes, and simply taking it all in.  And then it hit me harder than the boom of the bass, that for many, what they were experiencing was cheap worship.  Now when I say worship, I don’t mean that this was an authentic, spiritual worship experience, but at that moment, the band and their music were being worshipped by many.  

Worship is defined as a “respect for or devotion to an object of esteem.”  If we take that definition and apply it tangibly to life, then everyone is a worshipper of something.  We worship many things:  family, careers, possessions, and unfortunately self.    We see this when any of these priorities are elevated to a place of supremacy where our lives are lived out in submission to these objects of our worship.  If it is family, we will pattern all of our decisions on what makes sense for family.  If it is our career, we will do anything possible to bring pleasure to our superiors.  If it is possessions and money, we will sacrifice whatever it takes to acquire more and more.  If it is self, we will always do what is best for us, regardless of the affects to other people.  

Despite the fact that we often choose to worship other things, God’s word leaves no room for this choice.  Jesus tells us in Luke 10 that we are to “love the Lord your God with all of your heart, all of your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.”  Everything!  When the love of God holistically consumes your whole being, He maintains His proper place as the Lord of our life, and the object of our worship.  When we choose to allow other things to take control of our heart, soul, strength, and mind then we bow before the idol of family, careers, possessions, and self and worship an inferior god.

What do you truly worship in life?  My prayer is that you will find your worship in rhythm with God, and find your life moving to the beat of His calling on your life.  When you do, you will experience truth and worship everlasting.