With All My Life
I think of worship as "honoring God." That language helps me to remember that my worship is more than just praising God, or praying to him, or reading scripture devotionally, or whatever. It reminds me that I am called to worship God by living my life in a way that honors him.
We've all known people who were very engaged with God in their public worship, and very engaged with the flesh in their daily lives. It's so easy and self-assuring to condemn the hypocrisy in someone else. But haven't we each experienced that same incongruity?
However, when we bring our lives into alignment with our prayers and our praises -- when we begin to honor Jesus by how we live our lives, then we're not only "saying our prayers," we're living them! And every essence of who we are in this world shouts out God's praises!
Leading worship begins with living worship because worshiping God begins with living in a way that honors him.
That's the prayer of the new song we introduced last week, "With All My Life." I wrote it as a prayer of request and resolve for living a life that honors Jesus.
The last line in verse two is my heart's favorite. My worship is not about getting comfy in the christian safety zone where I console myself that "well, at least I'm forgiven; at least I'm 'saved.'" It's better than that: Not only can I be safe, but I can become free of the "sin that so easily entangles," and press on to live a life of integrity for Jesus (Heb 12.1).
And I feel confident that it's a prayer that he answers for all who pray it with their living as well as their words.
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Phil Derby on Jun 5, 2008 11:06am
I love the new song Roger, and it's cool to hear some of the story of what went into writing it. Thanks for sharing.
Erin Parra on Jun 5, 2008 1:17pm
mmmm.... yes good thoughts. We all have been there, and sometimes still (living our life unlike the way our worship would portray) I still have moments of "who are you" to myself and then I gotta refocus and say "ah yes this is who I am" A struggle I assume will last to my last day here. Good news is the longer I live in accordance to God's will the easier it gets. THATS A GOOD THING!
I too love the new song. Sang it with Givenover this week, its a keeper...I rocked it dawg...
Pastor Roger Shenk on Jun 5, 2008 1:19pm
:)
Cynthia Tafoya on Jun 6, 2008 8:15pm
Good Words To Live by!!
Cynth...
Scott Christensen on Jun 7, 2008 10:18am
Hi all, I have missed singing with you all, either in choir or as a sanctuary dweller. I totally agree. Please rage in me and all of us. All my life, let me honor you. As a song I really like says. "It's been a long time", Since I cracked a smile....I thank God for you Roger, and the words he speaks to you.
Scott
John Rogers on Jun 10, 2008 3:32pm
"Leading worship begins with living worship" Important words!
John
Pastor Roger Shenk on Jun 13, 2008 8:40am
The passage I was referring to in last night's discussion is Hebrews 5:14. In the TNIV it describes the mature as those "who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." In the NLT it's phrased as those "who have trained themselves to recognize the difference between right and wrong and then do what is right." And my heart adds to it "every time," not out of any sort of perfectionistic tendencies, but out of a desire for integrity. And that kind of consistency adds strength and resolve to every next decision.