Commitment to Christ - Worship

:: 22 ::  So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God. This is your appropriate priestly service. (Romans 12:1)

The word worship brings to the imagination an event, most notably a standard church service. But the biblical notion of worship moves us beyond an event and thrusts us forward to a constant way of life. The worship of God is not only marked by the words we say and hear, but is defined by action.

One of the sayings of the Desert Fathers, a group of fourth and fifth century Egyptian monks, reflects this thought well: “Abba James said: We do not want words alone, for there are too many words among people today. What we need is action, for that is what the world is looking for, not words which do not bear fruit.”

Our worship of God should transcend what we do when we gather with others for the celebration of liturgy, the singing of hymns, the hearing of a sermon, and the praying of prayers. Worship of God should permeate every action undertaken in both our ordinary and extraordinary moments. Our bodies should be a “living sacrifice,” offered continually in service to God’s purposes for our world.

Lord, I want others to see you and come to know you. Use my life to draw others to you. Amen.