What counts as Worship?

"Only slow songs are worship."

I've heard that before. Have you? One year at camp, the ministry head made us kids sing a bunch of slow songs. When I approached her later to ask her why we didn't sing a few other songs (which I had learned at camp during worship in previous years), she said they were praise songs and she wanted to focus more on worship songs. I didn't think much of it then--I was only 11 or 12 or something, but now I understand that her view of worship wasn't fully there.

Worship is not defined by the tempo of music. It is not defined by an action you perform nor a "ritual" you go through. Worship is more than that.

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"Worship is a lifestyle." ~ Rick Warren

This is a lesson that I've loved learning and because of that, I'm so happy to share it with all of you.

I've met people who've said that in order to worship you need to listen to the slow songs, raise your hands and close your eyes and feel God's presence wash down on you. I must admit, I've been there before and thought similar type things. Just think to yourself, how many of you refer to the singing before a church service as worship? How many of you look forward to the "worship" portion of a church event?

That in itself isn't terrible, but to think that only singing is worship or only long prayers are worshipful is wrong.  Even before there was music, Adam and Eve worshiped God. 

"Every part of a church service is an act of worship: praying, Scripture reading, singing, confession, silence, being still, listening to a sermon, taking notes, giving an offering, baptism, communion, signing a commitment card, and even greeting other worshipers." ~ Rick Warren

In everything you do, it is possible to worship God. Painting, writing, creating... Reading, working, resting. Guess what? It can all be worship.  I know such a great God, how can I not worship Him?  I want to worship Him in all that I do.  I want to dance in His presence with every fiber of my being, even when I'm sitting and doing homework--I will still be worshiping Him in my heart and in my Spirit.

Simply because, worship is my lifestyle.