Encountering God Through Worship
I recall a time not long ago when I was navigating a particularly challenging season in my life. During this period, a modern worship song became a profound source of comfort and connection. I played that song repeatedly—while driving to and from work, preparing dinner, taking walks, and even as I drifted to sleep. The music and the truth embedded in its lyrics resonated deeply with my soul. Tim Keller, in The Songs of Jesus, explains how psalms have the power to penetrate our minds and imaginations in a way that only music can.
One morning, filled with joy and hope, I asked Mark, “Do you ever find yourself lost in a song that God uses to minister to your heart?” I expected a validating response, something along the lines of, “Yes! Those moments are special.” Instead, Mark replied pragmatically, “Nope. Music isn’t a primary pathway for me to connect with God, but I understand it is for many, which is why we have people like you on our team.” I was taken aback. How could someone not connect with God through music? It made me reflect on the diverse ways we experience the divine.
The Power of Shared Rituals
Jonathan Haidt writes about how communal rituals can elevate our experience and move us toward the divine. This isn’t limited to religious practices; it includes chants from sports teams, rally cries from schools, and national anthems. Even in my own family, we had songs for our table prayers:
“Be present at our table, Lord Be here and everywhere adored. These mercies bless and grant that we May strengthened for thy service be Amen”
And:
“Oh, the Lord is good to me, and so I thank the Lord For giving me the things I need, the sun and the rain and the apple seed The Lord is good to me. Amen. Amen. Amen, amen, amen! Amen!”
Engaging with God Through Worship
Today, let’s explore hearing God through worship. If music isn’t your primary way of connecting with God, that’s perfectly fine. This time may not resonate with you. But for those who find worship music central to their spiritual life, this session is for you. We will explore worship through three Lectio experiences using Psalm 100. We aim to engage creatively and holistically, tapping into a transcendent experience of God that moves beyond mere logic.
Lectio 1 – Worship Posture
Start Metronome
Worship means to serve, to humble oneself, to bow down, to ascribe worth. It’s a posture that aligns our lives with our creator. Just as a metronome maintains a steady rhythm, God’s rhythm is consistent—steady, faithful, unchanging. We find reminders of this rhythm in nature: the rising and setting of the sun, the changing seasons. When we align ourselves with God’s rhythm, we experience a deep sense of connection. Conversely, straying from this rhythm can lead to chaos and disjointedness.
Psalm 100: “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
Reflect Where do you feel out of sync today? Are you creating chaos by marching to your own beat? How might resting in the rhythm of God’s goodness bring you peace?
Pray God, you are worthy of our worship and adoration. Help us to align our lives with your steady tempo. As we draw near to you, may we hear your voice and experience your faithfulness.
Stop Metronome
Lectio 2 – Worship Priorities
PAUSE
Worship involves prioritizing what matters most. We often find reasons to delay or avoid tasks, but we make time for what we truly value. God calls us to a life of faithful obedience, reflecting our worship through our actions. Psalm 100 is filled with actionable responses to a holy God.
Psalm 100: “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
Reflect How have you been neglecting faithful obedience to God’s call? Take a moment to inventory where you might need to realign your priorities with God’s will.
30-60 seconds
Jesus commands believers to be baptized as an act of worshipful obedience—a public declaration of following him, dying to the old self, and embracing new life with Christ.
Pray God, awaken our hearts to your promise of eternal life. Help us celebrate the transformation occurring in our lives as we obey your call.
Lectio 3 – Worship Purifies
PAUSE
A life of worship aligned with God’s rhythm leads to noticeable changes in us. Our sensitivities, desires, and tastes evolve. Though much of life is lived in the mundane, God is actively working to purify us, shaping us to be more like himself. This sanctification process can feel slow, but as we surrender to God’s direction, he faithfully works within us.
Psalm 100: “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
Reflect In what areas of your life is God refining you? How is he pruning away what is unfruitful so that you may bear more fruit, as taught in John 15?
Pray God, I trust in your deep work within me as I engage in worship. Purify my heart and life, and help me to consistently show up in your presence with a genuine heart.
Blog adapted from September 1, 2024, message by Minister Jed Lougue
