I was thinking a lot about worship this week. I can recall many times when someone has said “I just didn’t get anything out of worship today.” or “I didn’t like there worship there.” There’s several variations to these two simple sentences, but both share a common thread. Those who say things like this failed to understand what is worship.

The very concept of worship is to recognize a greater being. If we are concerned whether or not we “get” anything out of worship after a Sunday Morning or any other time... then we’ve really failed to recognize that Worship is directed to God, not ourselves. Granted some of our songs are directed to each other as encouragement or a persuation to follow Christ. But a majority of our songs should be directed to God, singing His praises.

“Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth! He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet. He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved. Selah God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted.” -Psa. 47:1-9

The next time we sing a song that’s particularly not your favorite, or the singing doesn’t seem to be up to “par”... think about the reasons you worship. Are you worshiping to please yourself? Are you worshiping for that good feeling you get after services? If you are worshiping for any other reason except to praise God... you are doing it for the wrong reasons.
Worship is a difficult thing to do when our minds are not in it, or even just singing the song without thinking of the words. Those words that we all too often sing with empty conviction. Take the time to evaluate your thoughts while you are worshiping him. Are you giving him thanks or grumbling about how things are not going your way? God is certainly worthy of our praise, and to truly love him with our heart, soul, mind and body.