Worshiping in Spirit and Truth

There is perhaps no more important spiritual practice, corporately or individually, than worship. In the wake of the Christchurch mosques massacre just over a week ago in New Zealand, I have been deeply moved by various faith communities coming forward to protect the sacred act of worship for those of other beliefs. It is a profound example of loving our neighbour despite our differences.

Steve Bell talks about how worship is not just about telling God how great God is (the need to be worshiped isn’t flattering in a deity). He says it is far more than that. It is meant to be transformational - a time where our relationships with ourselves, each other and God are mended; a time where we are re-oriented to God; a time where we re-member not just God’s story but our place in the body of Christ; and a time where we re-collect the pieces of our lives and make sense of them from a faith perspective. I love this understanding of what we do in worship.

Last Sunday we read John 4 and reflected on what it might mean to worship in spirit and truth. Because few things can splinter us more than choices and differences in worship. We tend to assume that we’ve got it right and others are somehow less spiritually mature or close to God. Do we clap in worship after we hear a testimony or musical offering? Are those who do worship songs more relevant or are they selling out on traditional hymns? Are those who speak in tongues more connected to God or those who raise their hands and shout amens more ‘authentic’ or are they full of themselves? Worshiping in spirit and truth really has nothing to do with any of these approaches but rather the authenticity of our praise and the state of our hearts.

I’ve written before about how challenging it can be for worship leaders to be immersed in worship or to be fed by someone else. It can be tough to tune in and allow ourselves to be re-filled with living water when we’re used to being at the front and guiding others. I sometimes struggle with actively worshiping, whether while leading or in a pew. What has helped has been prayer and experiencing other traditions and settings. The difference draws me in and can help me turn off my hamster brain from thinking of how I would handle the scripture passages or what music I would choose.

We also looked at Revelation 7 and the great multitude gathered from every tribe and language and nation at the throne of the Lamb in worship. As we seek to worship in spirit and truth, to give our whole hearts rather than wrangling over particulars and who is doing it right or better, we are always in rehearsal. Our worship now prepares us for the worship we will offer once we see Christ face to face at the end of time as we know it, whatever that will look like and whenever it happens. It won’t matter then what our race is, our denomination, our theology, our history, our worship preferences. What will matter is whether we come humbly and authentically, knowing that God loves us as we are.

What a gift worship is. God knows that we need to take the focus off ourselves and to have gratitude, to come clean about how we have messed up, to experience divine forgiveness, to ask for help for ourselves and others, to be challenged to clarify our life’s purpose through God’s lens, and to be sent to live out the gospel, renewed by the Spirit’s power for what life throws at us. Even as we offer ourselves and our praise, we are being blessed.

May we all seek to worship in spirit and truth and to seek the Spirit’s leading so that what we offer inspires with its authenticity.