Worship: Rooted in Relationship

Worship is an active partnership between God and creation as relationships are cultivated.

“Worship is a conversation between God and God’s chosen people.  There is a mutual exchange, a holy dialogue, an invested sharing back and forth in worship” (9)
-Constance Cherry “The Worship Architect”

True biblical worship is a relational conversation, not just between members of a congregation, but between God and His people.  A conversation that consists of both speaking and learning when to be quiet and listen.  God has a lot to speak to His people, if only we would slow down and listen to what He has to say to us through things like scripture, prayers, songs, sermons, and silence.

Scripture is our direct link to the heart, story, and attributes of God.  It tells of creation, fall, and redemption.  It speaks of faith on monumental levels.  It is the inspired word of God penned on paper.  The Bible is our guide book, our comfort, our direction, our encouragement, and our ultimate love story.  Scripture directs the church, it directs how we relate to one another, it dictates our actions, it shows us how to truly love one another.  Our relationship with God is rooted in the scriptures and we should digest what they teach us and give all glory to God through shouts of praise, joy, weeping, meditation, and prayer.  God speaks to us through His written word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit and we should respond by living our lives in reverence of Him and what He has done for us.

Corporate worship, or the times that we come together as one body to give glory and honor to God, are filled with relationship characteristics.  We must acknowledge that we are all active participants in a corporate setting.  Our prayers, our songs, our offerings, our sermons, and our fellowship are all a conversation to God and a chance for God to speak directly to us as one body gathering in His name.  Corporate worship should not be just a time to talk about God and teach what he has done, but should also include a chance to talk directly to God because He is present in our churches.

Relationships are two-sided, with each party contributing to the conversation.  In our churches, our worship should reflect a healthy relationship with God, a mutual sharing back and forth.  In order for this to happen we must both speak and be willing to listen.  “Be still, and know I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NIV)  We must be willing to corporately and personally be willing to quiet ourselves, our minds, and our tongues to listen to what God has to tell us.  Silence is necessary, silence helps us to listen, silence allows us to be attentive to the will of God and grow in our relationship with Him and one another.

We have been called into a holy relationship: Will we build relationships that take the cross of Christ to the world?  Will we have a strong corporate and personal relationship with the Gospel and proclaim it to the nations?  Will we cultivate our relationship with the one who promises new life and anticipate heaven?

May we grow in our relationship with the Author of the Word of Life through our everyday worship and preach it through our actions and attitudes.

Persevere

Sometimes it feels as if life is producing more struggles than joys.  You may find yourself overwhelmed by the situations, hurts, and obstacles that have come your way.  However, God has promised through His word to never lay any burden on His people that they cannot handle.

Romans 5:3-5

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

³ Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

The Lord will never give us more than we can handle. It is a tough realization to come to, but it is a promise that is everlasting!  So may you be a blessing and testament of endurance to those around you, because your example could be just what they need to direct them to the foot of the cross.