We've all heard of hero worship and celebrity worship where someone who seems bigger than life fills the mind of the admirer so that they become god-like.
People also think of worship as something we do when we go to church. We sing, pray, listen to a sermon and, by those actions, we think we have worshiped.
But worship means much more than that. It means acknowledging from one's heart that the object of our focus is worthy of our adoration and praise - greater and more magnificent than ourselves. Only God deserves such worship.
But our culture has become increasingly self-focused, materialistic and greedy. We need only look at recent headlines to affirm that.
Anything that takes first place in our lives becomes the object of our worship. If we bow down before money, the Bible says that we're in for some major disappointments. And, once again, the news being reported agrees.
Consider these two verses found in Proverbs 11: 28 and 23:5, NIV, respectively:
"Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf."
"Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle."
But, as the first verse declares, "the righteous will thrive like a green leaf." Does that mean the righteous will be rich or without hardship. Hardly. Living in this fallen world means experiencing it as it is.
But, God will care for those who honor him. His provisions will be the by-product of keeping our focus on him instead of things.
God reminds us to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and he will supply all of our needs. He calls on us not to worry; but, to have faith.
Once we acknowledge God as our Creator/Redeemer - the One who loved us enough to take our sins upon himself in death and rise again to give us eternal life - then worship should take place throughout the day, everyday.
No matter where we are or what we are doing, God's presence is with us. Consequently, as we put him first in our thinking we'll make decisions that honor him; respond to challenges or accusations in his nature...not our own. We'll approach him with loving and thankful hearts. He will be our focus.
He is the Hero; the One whose fame fills the earth; the One who owns everything. He is worthy of our worship everyday. Selah
Sunday, May 24, 2009 - www.newssun.com/0524-pause