Worship!?

Reading through Joshua has once again been a wonderful time. Today as I was reading chapter 22, I cam across the section where the tribes to the East of the River Jordan build an altar. They were afraid that the descendants of the other tribes of Israel would not let them worship, or question their right to worship God. Can you imagine? Is it even remotely possible that a group of people would get in the way of others worshiping God?

Perhaps it is more possible than we all like to think. In fact it happens every day. Not just in far away places by people who don't know any better. In churches all across America there are people determining what it means to 'truly' worship God. Some say that unless all the music is hymns, the service only last 58 minutes, and the pastor only preaches for 15 minutes worship hasn't happened. Others will say that only if the music is done by a praise band and lasts until the spirit says stop, the service goes at least two hours and the pastor preaches until they almost pass out. By the way passing out might be considered a sign of the validity of their message.

Anyway, who are we to say what worship is or is not? None us really have the right to make that determination. I will however take a chance at saying what I think should be included in worship, and it has nothing to do with style. First and foremost worship is directed at God, the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Second, worship must be focused on drawing all of us further on our journey with God. Finally, worship must move us to action for the sake of the Kingdom of God. Worship that is all about a service in a point in time misses the point. The point is to have our butts motivated to be in the world acting as the hands and feet of Christ in our day.