Glimpses Into Worship: “The Idol of Worship” by Jeff Taylor
When I was in high school I remember liking a girl, but was afraid to talk to her. The only rational solution to this of course was to have my friends talk to her for me! I told them what questions to ask, and to tell her all the good things about me. (I’m not sure they followed all my instructions) I spent a long time admiring her from afar, having a non-relationship completely dependent on my buddies passing messages and being the go-betweens. Needless to say, nothing really came out of it other than an understanding that I better get personal if I ever hope to have relationship.
Like my friends in high school were with this girl, worship services, and primarily the music played in them, is often seen as a mediator between people and God. When we find ourselves unable to enter in with a heart of worship, it may be an indicator that we have become dependant on music, songs, style, or an environment to lead us into worship, rather than allowing the Holy Spirit to do it. This makes the very act that we intended for God’s honor and pleasure, idol worship. That’s right, we can begin to “worship” worship!!
When Paul and Silas sang in prison (Acts 16:25-26), it wasn’t because they heard the intro to an old favorite church song and were inspired by the lyrics. When David danced in his underwear before the Lord (2 Sam. 6:16-22) it was not because the newest Chris Tomlin song came on the radio, and the driving beat was current and hip. Worship happens when our souls encounter the Spirit of the living God who, by the way, does not have a favorite worship song. The Holy Spirit does not move only when the lights are down or we are able to sit or stand and sing (whichever your preference may be). These may be preferences, and the music may be a vehicle, but it should never become the reason we praise.
1Chronicles 16:23 Let the whole earth sing to the LORD! Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. 24 Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. 25 Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods. 26 The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the LORD made the heavens! 27 Honor and majesty surround him; strength and joy fill his dwelling.
This is why we worship, because He is worthy. To be moved by certain worship songs, and to find comfort in a certain atmosphere is fine, but when our ability to worship is conditional on these things, and we find ourselves disappointed, or even angry that we are not being served by the music, it may be that we have made an idol of our worship preferences. Worship “preferences” become worship “idols” when we depend on them to act as the mediator between us and God. Jesus already fulfilled that, now we are called to worship. I certainly join you in this journey to allow worship to come from my soul rather than when my preferences are met. So let’s come together and worship in Spirit and in Truth.
