I’ve been pondering lately what it means to live a life of worship. It’s been a theme because it’s something that I want to improve in. I am so far from being to the point that I wish to be, and sometimes that frustrates and discourages me, but thankfully God is much more patient than I am and He is in no rush-- He literally has all the time in the world! So, on the topic of worship, He’s been showing me that it doesn’t necessarily mean standing in pews to sing a few songs before a sermon (although that can be a form of worship), but rather it is a way of life. My inspiration for this belief mostly has to do with personalities and how each and every one of us is unique. That means that what may be a form of worship for one person may not be for another, and that’s okay. We are all created in the image of God and because of that we are all designed to glorify Him in different ways. Isn’t that so liberating!?
I have the coolest friends, and the most wonderful family. I say that with complete conviction-- I am surrounded by some amazing people, people that inspire me and motivate me and challenge me. I am so blessed. Some of them are gentle, some are brave, some are wise, some are patient, some radiate the love of Christ in powerful ways, and each of them make me want to grow and be more like them. There are moments though that seeing the strengths that my friends and family have makes me question my own, but God’s been showing me lately that that is not what is in His heart-- He doesn’t expect all of us to be the same or have the same giftings, in fact He intentionally created us differently (refer to 1 Corinthians 12). And I believe that directly ties into how we serve and glorify and worship our Lord. Because of this truth, I no longer have to feel frustrated that I am not as much of a prayer warrior as my friends who could literally pray for hours without getting too distracted, or the people I know who are so disciplined and can get up before the sun and just spend time singing praises without falling asleep mid-song, or those who have an incredible knowledge of the Bible and what it says and the history and theology behind different books and passages. Those are all areas that I want to grow: I want to be able to pray for hours without my mind wandering; I want to find strength and refreshment in starting my day early with the Lord; I want to learn Biblical history and theology and have passages memorized. But I also want to enjoy the things in my life that effortlessly bring forth natural worship and gratitude in ways that may not appear as “spiritual” and are a bit more subtle. I, personally, hear God speak most when I spend time in the morning reading and journaling in my favorite coffee shop. He reveals things to me as I spend time writing what’s going on in my heart. There are so many times that, while I’m writing, God just so clearly reveals to me something He’s been slowly teaching me, and so writing for me is a way that I can hear God’s voice and worship Him. I also find myself pouring out praise to my good Father from the back of my horse, or while I’m driving in the mountains by myself, or while painting. These are activities that may not appear specifically spiritual or even related to God, but they SO ARE! God delights when I love His creatures like horses, or enjoy the mountains that He so intricately designed, or when I reflect His creative nature by doing art. I love reading my Bible and singing songs of adoration at the top of my lungs and spending time in conversation with Jesus, but I have found a beautiful freedom in learning to live a life of constant worship through the enjoyment of how God has designed me and the passions He has placed in my heart. He is so kind to invite me to participate in His enjoyment and delight of what He has made, and through that enjoyment and delight, I don’t have to work to pour out praise because it is the most natural response to a beautiful God.
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