who do you worship for?

This may seem like a stupid question and I've honestly never asked it before, but earlier this week it was posed to me in the book The purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.

This definitely got me thinking. When I do go up and sing worship songs, just who am I singing for? When all is said and done, have I given my all for my King, for my Saviour? Or, have I somehow made it all about me?

Think about it, when the "worship" part of a service is over, what are the types of things we say? "Wow, I really got a lot out of that, it was a good worship!" or "I didn't really feel anything today... wasn't the best worship."

I've said these things before. I've focused on only me and thought of what I would get our of worship. Can you see the flaw in this? Can you see where I misunderstood? Worship is NOT for ME. Worship is for God and no matter what I "feel" about it, it should not change how I worship. Even when I feel like I'm getting nothing out of worship, I should still worship my heart out because it's for Him!

So, who are you worshipping for?  When all is said and done--when the music fades, who/what matters most?  Your "feelings," or the God on High?

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.

"Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires."

- Song of Solomon 2:7

Do you see that? Did you read it? Read it again:

Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you

by the gazelles and by the does of the field:

Do not arouse or awaken love

until it so desires. 

Song of Solomon 2:7

I know so many girls who simply want to be in a relationship. They want a guy to tell them they are beautiful, to dote on them, to hold on to--to be [pardon the expression] "arm candy." I'm not saying all girls are like this and I'm not saying there are not boys who do the same thing, but in my experience, I've talked to more girls who simply want to be in a relationship here and now.

They are impatient.

They want their "prince charming" to be the next guy they see and so they throw their selves upon him and hope he fits the criteria. Then, when he doesn't, they mope about until the next sorry sap comes along AND they usually get hurt in the process.

I've never been any romantic relationship--and sure, there have been days when I feel like I'm missing out, but I've learned [He's taught me! What up, Jesus!] that I don't need a guy to define who I am. I don't need to rush into love. If I did--If I focused all my attention on relationships, then I would most definitely miss out on the great things that I have in my life. So caught up would I be, that I would miss His amazing blessings! And I know, that because I am waiting [some days more patiently than others], that when I do find that special someone, we'll rock the world together.

"Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires."

If you're truly meant to be with that special someone, everything will work it in it's own time, so why rush?

I'm waiting.  Just waiting.  And you?

"How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful!"

- Song of Songs 1:15

What is it that you find attractive in that special someone? What is it that draws you in?

A team of people in England did a research study on the Science of Attraction through a series of videos. They are all very interesting and about 10 minutes each. If you want to check them out, click HERE.

When I asked you guys last week what you guys found attractive, I got a multitude of answers, as expected, but there were also some similarities.

Many of you agreed that eyes are very important--those windows of the soul.  The eyes of a person can make you feel respected and special while you talk to them.  They convey such deep emotion and such beauty.  How can you not be drawn in?

As for the other attractive physical qualities, there was no agreement really.  Sometimes it amazes me how different we humans are.  Even though we may grow up in the same environments or experience similar events throughout life, we grow up to have such vast and different likes and dislikes--and that rubs off on people.  What attracts me to a guy will not be what attracts my best friend Ana to a guy [this has been proven since she's in a relationship to my other friend K and I'm not attracted to him.  He's a cool dude though!  Hi K!].

But can you imagine for a moment if we were all attracted to the same people?  The world would be an utter chaos of relationships!  Oi vey!  Simply crazy ideas right there...

Fortunately, we are all different and when we meet that special someone, they will be the most beautiful to you and you will be the most beautiful to them.  Will be?  Should be.  I will choose for my man to be.

 "How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful!" Song of Songs 1:15

In closing, I'm adding a quote from a sermon I listened to over a year ago by pastor Mark Driscoll.  He's a really cool pastor and I really enjoy listening to him preach.  The quote is from his Peasant Princess sermon series and if your interested in checking them out, you should.  They are good.

"God’s plan is that your spouse would be your standard of beauty. For Adam, he didn’t have a standard of beauty. He had a wife. For Eve, she didn’t have a standard of beauty. She had a husband. God doesn’t bring in 27 men for Eve. Say, “All right, you guys all compete. Let’s see which one looks the best. Let’s see which one is able to serve my needs.” No, no, no. The issue is this. Everyone should have — must their spouse as their standard of beauty. One of the qualifications of an elder is that they are to be one-woman men, and the — everyone is supposed to follow the example of the elders. So, here’s what that means.

"And this is true for men and women. If you’re married to someone tall, you like tall. If you’re married to someone short, you really like short. If you married to someone skinny, you’re into skinny. If you’re married to someone who’s... not skinny, you’re into not skinny. You say, “Well they were skinny. Now they’re not skinny.” Your standard changed, but that’s still yours — true story, and that means if you get married at 25 and you grow old together at 75, your standard of beauty is not what your spouse looked like at 25, but what they look like at 75. Lust is comparing your spouse to others, desiring others, desiring your spouse to be like others. Job 31:1 he says, “I made a covenant with my eyes. I’m not looking at other women lustfully.” That’s the issue. God shows that in creation: one man; one woman. They’re one another’s standard. That’s it."

"I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys."

- Song of Songs 2:1

I know so many girls who are caught up with relationships.

Wait! I don't know if that sentence is right. Let me start again:

I know so many girls who are caught up with the idea of a relationship. They long for a guy--a prince, like the ones seen in the movies--to enter stage left, sweep them off their feet, and make their life a million times better. How? By being an ear to talk to, a friend to play with, a cushion to cuddle with, etc... Basically, to fill a hole in their heart.

Some of the girls that I've met crave this so ferociously that it eats away at them. These girls, whom I love to bits, don't know how to live without a guy by their side.

The problem?
In trying to find a GUY to fill the HOLE, they've LOST THEMSELVES. They forget that they are precious on their own.

"I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys." Song of Songs 2:1

A rose is a precious flower. A precious AND beautiful flower. It does not need anything else to be beautiful--it just is.

Girls, you are a Rose. Each and everyone of you. You don't need a guy to dictate your life. You don't need a guy to define you. You need to be yourself and you need to trust in Jesus.

He's got a plan for you that would simply blow your mind. He's got someone special for you and they are waiting. They are waiting to see your blossom and to relish its splendor. BUT! If you're too busy chasing after that hole in your heart, who will tend your rose? Who will keep your garden--your body and soul--fruitful? Who will be the gardener?

You are a rose of Sharon, a Lily of the Valleys. You are Beautiful just the way You Are.