Worship as a Gift

The Three Wise Men, or Magi, brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus. “...they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11)

These gifts were an outward expression of an inward worship to the Prince of Peace, the Mighty God, the Holy One, our Savior. Worship has been a lifetime pursuit of curiosity and wonder. Why do we worship God and how? For ten years I served as a worship leader at churches. However, my first experience of leading worship was in Haiti with the missionaries back in the early ‘80s. There was no video projection, we did not have electricity, and what we sounded like would never make a hit list of best songs. I just remember the realness of our posture to God. He alone is worthy. “God is spirit, and His worshippers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:24

One evening in Haiti I was attending church in Leogane. As the service was ending, I randomly chose two kids from the congregation and brought them up on stage to help lead the closing song. A girl began to sing the song and she sang it beautifully; the audience began to sing with her. Then, a boy began to sing. His pitch was off; his tempo was bad. All of a sudden the audience began to laugh at him. I said, “Please stop laughing and listen to what I’m about to say.” In that moment, I didn’t really know what I was going to say next, but I knew I had to have them stop laughing. Then, my heart spoke these words: “God hears our heart and this boy’s heart was worshiping God. Her voice was beautiful as she worshipped God, and his voice was beautiful because God hears both of their hearts.” Worship is about God and not about us. “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts.” (Psalm 105:1-2) 

Have you ever felt you were not good enough? Was it because you were comparing yourself to someone else? The sad reality about comparison is the people we often compare ourselves to do not even know who we are. Don’t compare! Complete your calling to worship God. The purpose of why we exist is to love God and share His love with others. Matthew 22:37-40 tells us, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Love God. Worship God. Serve others. 

Jesus modeled this for us. He came into this world and obediently fulfilled the desire of His heavenly Father to be a ransom for our sins. He went to the cross out of obedience and surrender. Then, He ultimately served others by sacrificing His life for us. Jesus is a perfect example of a life of worship. Worship is a gift we give back to God because He alone deserves our praise. ~Tim DeTellis