And it’s a brutal warning for anyone who worship’s God.
Some of my best ideas come to me while singing worship songs at church. There’s something about belting out (mostly on tune) lyrics that exalt God. I see the world through different eyes.
Sunday morning during church is the most inspired hour of my week.
But earlier this week I got an email with the subject line: Everybody Worships. That sounds nice. But I’m pretty sure the guy that wrote the email is a humanistic atheist. It’s a business oriented newsletter, and he’s gone so far as to accuse people of creating a sick religion out of work. So I never expect him to be friendly toward God.
Needless to say I was really curious to see what he had to say. So I opened the email and found this quote as the Quote of the Day – right at the top of the email.
“In the day-to-day trenches of adult life, there is no such thing as atheism. There is no such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship.”
Everybody worships. The only question is what.
My pastor has said that before. We are made to worship and if we do not worship God, then we will worship something else. It could be ourselves, money, sex, drugs, accomplishment, relationships… The list is endless. People are capable idol makers.
Even for those who say they worship Jesus, this is a real danger. Just because I say I worship Jesus one time doesn’t mean that it’s a lock to be that way for the rest of my life. I have to continue to invest in worshipping Jesus.
From another perspective, this makes us kind of like the people of Israel in Old Testament times. They lived in a land surrounded by idol worshippers. If this quote is true (and I think it is), then we live in a land surrounded by idol worshippers.
I think the words of Psalm 115 are equally true for us today…
Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but do not speak;
eyes, but do not see.
They have ears, but do not hear;
noses, but do not smell.
They have hands, but do not feel;
feet, but do not walk;
and they do not make a sound in their throat.
Those who make them become like them;
so do all who trust in them.
Everybody worships something. But the worshippers of the true God have the mission to help the idol worshippers see that there is a better way. To point them to the cross as the way of meeting the most critical need everyone has. And as a result, out of gratitude, worship pours out – but to the right object.
As you look at the week ahead, think about the people you run into. What are they worshipping? How can you tell.
Then think about yourself. What are you worshipping? How would the people around you know?
I offer everyone who joins this mailing list a free book. It’s a book about worship and how we see Jesus completely informs the way we worship Him (or not). Yes, I was inspired to write it one Sunday in church while listening to the worship leader. I
I know from metrics, that only about half the people who join the list actually download the book. So I’ll offer it again here… completely free.
Download Jesus Above All for free here: https://getbooks.dennis-stevenson.com/…
I hope you’ll download a copy and read it. And think about the four encounters with Jesus and what they say about who He is. Then pray or sing. Out loud, even if it’s off key.
Because Jesus is worthy of our worship.
Until next time,
Dennis
