The True Worshipper

Mary Caroline Mann

This is a year of many lasts for me. Of course there are many new beginnings ahead, but it's hard saying goodbye to my high school years. I praise God for an awesome time of worship last night with my youth group, at an event we have throughout the year called Collide. It was a closing chapter for me. 

I've found myself pondering on the meaning of worship a lot this past year, learning that worship is far more than the songs we sing, the notes we play, the hands we raise, or the words we say.  Worship is a lifestyle. It means resting our thoughts on God, working heartily for the Lord, using our gifts to give glory to his name, and constantly lavishing God's word. I cannot wait to experience worship in heaven!

Here's one of my journal entries I found on worship.

December 6, 2010

"I used to think worship meant going to church and singing hymns. To be honest, I thought it was boring and I truly didn't worship God, but more myself. I thought worship was meant for one day a week and that it would not make sense otherwise. But I have found I cannot live without worship in every aspect of my life because it IS my life. Worship is like a chocolate cake. The icing is the church and I am but a sprinkle on top. Worship is much greater than myself. Worship is what brings the people of the church together and what brings churches together as one. If we want to focus on Christ then we need to stop focusing on the smaller picture. It is not my church that I attend every week, but God's church. I do not go to church for attendance or the comfortable feeling I get when around the people I love, but I go to worship the same God others worship all over this world. That is the God that created me and you and sent His Son as a gift, a sacrifice for our wrongs. Whatever denomination, whatever church, whatever tradition, whatever music, whatever sermon, whatever events, charities, ministries; none matter without the heartbeat of worship for Christ.  So I now look at worship as a much greater picture far past what I can imagine. The awe I feel when I worship is the awe I have of a God who is so unimaginably great. How can I live my life day to day and not stand and worship! God, may I praise your name all my days from now into eternity."