Going Back To The Hurt Of Worship?

From time to time, Pastor Sam shares a little story with us. The gist of the story is this:

A man tells his wife that he is leaving town for a short period of time, for work-related purposes. As he goes through the airport, he decides to order some flowers to have them shipped to her. The intent of the floral shipment is to give the indication that he misses her and is thinking about her. The reality, however, is that he is not working. He has made arrangements to spend his days with another woman with whom he is having an affair. He is actually not considering his wife at all. The floral arrangement, an international symbol of affection and care, is being used as a cover for treachery.

Our pastor's story is an allegory for our worship experience. Is our worship of God a floral arrangement of love, or a flowery veneer covering treachery?

"I know that the musicians are not Christians. But you know what? They show up on time; they are always fully prepared; their musicianship is excellent; and they don't give me attitude. They don't have to love God."

"I notice that she never comes to church unless it's her choir's turn to sing; and when she's finished singing, she just walks out without staying for the sermon. She works in my office and is always bragging about how indispensable she is to her choir, but her work performance is poor and she has a nasty attitude. You should see her emails."

"It's so unfortunate. God has been so good to the man, and he is so ungrateful. The other week when my pastor was preaching on giving, he turned to his friend and said loud enough for our whole row to hear, 'I ain't givin' nothin'.'"

At Bronx Bethany, we endeavor to have a simple, three-part ministry process. We love God, we grow together, and we serve the world. The first part of our process, loving God, is worked out in our experience of Him in corporate worship.

It is important to note that "worship" is not a synonym for "singing". Although singing can occur as part of the worship process, the definition of worship is "to ascribe worth". Our church joins together in community on Saturdays and Sundays, and together we ascribe worth to our great God who does all things well. How do we ascribe worth to God? We do it through obedience to His word, through individual and corporate prayer, through the joyful giving of our tithes and offerings, through our expression of love to Him (sung or spoken or played), and by our reflection of His love to others.

The church around the world sings, and gives, and prays. It looks good on the surface... but I wonder what God sees as He looks at each of His children.

Please consider your own worship experience. Why are you "giving God flowers"? To authenticate your love, or to attempt to cover your treachery? Does the worship from your lips accurately reflect the position of your heart?

"I have seen You in the sanctuary
and beheld Your power and Your glory;
Because Your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify You...
Because You are my help,
I will sing in the shadow of Your wings;
My soul clings to You;
Your right hand upholds me."
(Psalm 63, verses 2,3,7, and 8)