You Are What You Worship

While I was home over Christmas break I picked up a tiny blue book called "The Air I Breathe: Life as a Way of Worship" by Louie Giglio (I strongly recommend this book). Within less than 100 pages, Giglio explains that we were created by God to worship (Him, of course). We are naturally motivated to worship; it's a drive inside of us that cannot be denied. Now, here's the catch: God gave us free will. Not to choose to worship or choose not to worship, but what to worship. We all worship something. One of my favorite quotes from Giglio's book is this: "We become what we worship. If you don't like who you're becoming, take a quick inventory of the things on the throne of your heart."

So, who are you? In other words, what do you worship? When you find the answer to both these questions, ask yourself this, "Do I have a good life?"

When I came back to school fromChristmas break, the pastor at the church I attend in Joplin started a sermon series, beginning with worship. He pretty much regurgitated Giglio, but then said this (and this is my paraphrase of what he said): "When we worship as a way of life then we fall on our knees in complete humility and bask in the presence of God." We were created to worship God! Worshiping anything else, not only belittles God in your heart, but it brings instant gratification. Worship God brings eternal satisfaction! Psalm 96: 4-6, 9 says,

"For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols,

but the Lord made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary...

Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness..."

When we worship the things of this world, we are worshiping idols. An idol, according to dictionary.com is "An image of a divinity; a representation or symbol of a deity or any other being or thing, made or used as an object of worship; a similitude of a false god." (italics added) But God made the heavens and the earth! Splendor and majesty are before Him! He is splendor and majesty! Why worship man-made stuff? Worship something that will bring you eternal joy and everlasting peace. When you come to worship God, he will bring you relief. Now doesn't that just sound peachy? And I don't mean to ask that sarcastically. Life is good because God gave us life and our way of life is to worship...HIM.