North American Christianity's worship seems to have become self-centered.
A popular televangelist recently declared that worship is not really about God. Attending worship is all about how it makes us feel; when we are happy, God is happy.
This is a grave distortion.
Worship is to focus on God. In the Hebrew language, “worship” means to serve, to bow down, to prostrate oneself. In the Greek language, it means to revere, to serve, to wait on, and to venerate. When our own desires and expectations distract us, we neglect to focus on the Lord, who is the source of our life.
Worship's corruption is not new. In the gospel of John, we read about how Jesus went to the temple in Jerusalem and found people selling cattle, sheep and doves. Making a whip of cords, Jesus drove all of them out of the temple. He also poured out the money changers' coins and overturned their tables.
The meaning and purpose of worship in the temple had become obscured, hidden under heaps of greed. Instead of fulfilling its purpose as the place of divine worship, the temple became a tool of distraction, of corruption.
When we gather in churches, we are called to worship the Lord. He is to be our lives' sole focus. Focusing on God allows us to remember the generosity of God, who is greater than we are.
May I suggest that instead of wondering what you can get out of worship, ponder what you will put into worship.
How will you worship God?
How will you bow down before him, revere him, serve him, venerate him?
How will you let God know of your undying gratitude for all he has done for you in Jesus Christ?
The Rev. Mark Broadhead is Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview’s pastor.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FROM THE PULPIT: When you worship, focus on God alone