Worship (Days 27 & 28): Expectations

If you're reading my 31-day series on Worship for the first time, consider clicking over here to my Day 1 post to see the introduction and to find the rest of the posts in the series!

This is days 27 & 28 of my series on Worship. I could break it up and create two separate posts, but something that The Nester said recently keeps bugging me in the back of my mind:

"I hope if nothing else, we’ve all learned to be a little easier on ourselves. Stop with all the high and mighty expectations that exhaust us and steal the joy from the very thing we were working so hard to create. We make it so difficult."

 D and I went on a drive last night, just to see where a road ends. There was no destination-- only the journey and an eventual "well, I guess we should turn around now." I got to see things that I usually wouldn't notice if we were in a hurry or if I really cared about getting somewhere. And as I drooled at the charming old homes and rolling fields along the way, my mind leaned back and pondered where I'm at right now.

I'm so so thankful for where I am. Really, I am. I have a wonderful job and my husband is truly thriving in school-- the things that happened two years ago are beginning to make sense and everything seems to be falling into place. And yet.

Yet despite the beautiful things we've been handed, I always feel so tired and defeated and helpless. Where does this even come from?! I think the quote above answers much of it: my expectations suck myself dry and exhaust me of any joy that I had in the first place. In my occupation, I become drained when my students are not excelling. In my ministry, my joy vanishes when I do not see results. In my pursuit of friendships in this new town, my heart threatens to go into hiding and never come out. My expectations hold back a rain of joy from this parched heart.

So today, as my eyelids droop and I grimace against my tasks, here is where I will worship:

"When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay."

Worship (Day 26): Eat and Drink

If you're reading my 31-day series on Worship for the first time, consider clicking over here to my Day 1 post to see the introduction and to find the rest of the posts in the series!

 I've said it before, and I'll say it again-- sometimes we make worship so darn complicated. We try to conjure up an emotional, memorable experience that will allow us to know that yes, we are all-out worshiping God in this moment. And He loves those moments. But if I spend all my time trying to create these moments, what of everyday life? Who has time for it?

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." -1 Cor. 10:31

Since I am so linguistically-oriented (I like my songs with deep lyrics, my journals with heartfelt words, my conversations with meaning), I always thought my worship had to be the same. Deep. Concentrated. Lengthy. But if Paul says God's glorification can come from eating and drinking, what am I missing?

John Piper says that "we are to eat and drink in a way that expresses the infinite worth of God." Our acts of worship do not simply encompass the deep, spiritual moments of realization and surrender-- they also include the small surrenders that come in the dishwashing, bathing, breakfast-ing, and living. 

Do you see that pile of dishes? Surrender your heart, acknowledge that God is infinitely worthy, and wash and worship. Do you see that whining child of yours? Surrender your heart and love and discipline as you worship. Do you see the sweet old woman struggling to get a cart at the store? Redirect your steps, help her out, understanding that God is infinitely worthy of your time... and worship.

Worship is not just found in the deep, spiritual moments-- because in reality, those moments are a lot about us and our feelings. True, solid worship is hidden among the day-to-day steps, breaths, and decisions, found in the prepared dinner and the words that you speak. It's worship because we are not at the center:

"What a sigh of relief to know, to really know that I am not the center of the universe. To know that every breath, decision, meal, step, and turn is worship if I am doing it with knowledge that He holds all things together. When I forget that truth, when I step back into the center spoke of the wheel? That is when my breathing gets shallow, my head starts to ache, my hands tremble ever so slightly. We are not created to be the center." -Emily Freeman

Worship as you eat or drink or whatever you do that you were already going to do anyway. He is created to be at the center, so worship.

Worship (Day 25): Sustainer

 If you're reading my 31-day series on Worship for the first time, consider clicking over here to my Day 1 post to see the introduction and to find the rest of the posts in the series!

 

 

I do not have a green thumb. I've killed succulents (the "unkillable" plant), if that tells you anything. It's amazing to me that I've been able to keep our love fern alive since our wedding, and in fact-- it's flourishing! I may not be able to keep a plant alive, but I sure am good at watching it grow.

Today, I'm thankful that the Lord can sustain everything in creation. He provides water for the plants, sunlight to warm our house with the broken heater, and rich nutrients in the ground to grow those beautiful plants (and gnarly weeds). This creation needs nothing from me-- it's all given by Him. So as I look out my classroom window, or on our front porch at the love fern (growing strong), I worship Him for the things He provides to sustain us.

Worship (Day 24): All things New

 If you're reading my 31-day series on Worship for the first time, consider clicking over here to my Day 1 post to see the introduction and to find the rest of the posts in the series!

Even when I was less-than productive yesterday,

And I did some things I regret,

And my heart leans with heaviness, threatening to spill out over all my insides and feelings...

He says, with a voice strong as thunder, "Behold, I am making all things new!" (Rev. 21:5)

What a promise to hold onto and a reason to worship!

This morning, with the cold fog lingering and a new day before me, I am choosing to leave my yesterday behind me and move on with the promise that I am a new creation and the New Heaven & Earth are coming very, very soon. I will worship today in anticipation. I will worship with thankfulness for a fresh start with the morning.

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." (Lam. 3:22-23)

Worship (Day 23): You ARE

If you're reading my 31-day series on Worship for the first time, consider clicking over here to my Day 1 post to see the introduction and to find the rest of the posts in the series!

This past month, my eyes have been opened to the opportunities I have to worship that I would typically brush aside. He calls us to worship that is far greater than simply song; greater worship reflects His truths like a mirror and flows from our fears, longings, desires, hopes, gifts, and most ordinary of days.

But have you ever thought about the fact that our bodies were actually created to worship? Our moving about and breathing and existing are intended to bring God glory? As Emily Freeman says, "But we don't call it that. We call those things living." Read on to better understand:

"But when the Spirit of the living God lives inside of you, then your living is also your worship. Everything that is is because he is I Am. 'For in Him we live and move and exist.' (Acts 17:28) We are able to worship in all that we do. And anything worth doing will also be worship. What else would it be?" (Grace for the Good Girl)

We were put on this earth to live and move and exist in Him, and so every little thing that we do can be considered worship. We (Christians) are, as the Lord says in Isaiah 43:7, part of “Everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory…”

Consider this fact: because you exist and follow Christ, you radiate Christ's glory. You give praise back to Him. Does this change your thinking? Does this alter your view of worship? I hope it does, because it takes the emphasis off of ourselves and places every last bit of worship into a pointed arrow towards Christ. And praise Him that it does!

Worship (Day 22): British Ghosts & God's Control

If you're reading my 31-day series on Worship for the first time, consider clicking over here to my Day 1 post to see the introduction and to find the rest of the posts in the series!

Today, I found myself surrounded by six-year-olds, wearing a ghost puppet from the dollar store, acting him out with a British accent. When I came to my senses and really realized what I was doing, I smiled. And in that moment, I realized that I will do almost whatever it takes to help these sweet babies learn to read and enjoy it. And I realized I was exactly where I need to be, for such a time as this. And I worship-- because if I had planned things my own way one year ago (or even a few months ago), I never would have found myself in this classroom with these students. But praise God that He knows everything and knows exactly what He has created us for!


I worship Him because He has had a plan from the very beginning and He is in control. He provides exactly what we need for each moment.

He provides in the grocery line, when all you have left for the month is $22 and the cashier rings you up for $21.44. He knew. He knows. He is always, always, always in control.

He knows the plans He has for me, even if the things of Today seem dreary or tiresome. He knows the plans and He will sustain us and provide for all of our needs while we wait. Because truly... the waiting is part of the plan.

He's in control, friends, so worship.

Worship (Day 21): Ordinary

If you're reading my 31-day series on Worship for the first time, consider clicking over here to my Day 1 post to see the introduction and to find the rest of the posts in the series!

". . . Discipleship is built entirely on the supernatural grace of God. Walking on water is easy to someone with impulsive boldness, but walking on dry land as a disciple of Jesus Christ is something altogether different. Peter walked on the water to go to Jesus, but he "followed Him at a distance" on dry land (Mark 14:54). We do not need the grace of God to withstand crises-- human nature and pride are sufficient for us to face the stress and strain magnificently. But it does require the supernatural grace of God to live 24 hours of every day as a saint, going through drudgery, and living an ordinary, unnoticed, and ignored existence as a disciple of Jesus. It is ingrained in us that we have to do exceptional things for God-- but we do not. We have to be exceptional in the ordinary things in life, and holy on the ordinary streets, among ordinary people. . ." -Oswald Chambers ("My Utmost for His Highest")

Sometimes we make worship so complicated. We want flashy, tear-filled, awe-inspiring worship. There is a time for that, but He desires worship in our everyday happenings more than the kind that draws attention to ourselves. Because worship is about Him, remember?

Find ways to worship in the drudgery, ordinary, unnoticed, and ignored. Worship Him in a whisper. Point to Him in the littlest conversation. Love Him in the most ordinary of tasks. It won't be easy, but that's because discipleship is built entirely on the supernatural grace of God.

Worship (Day 20): Atonement

If you're reading my 31-day series on Worship for the first time, consider clicking over here to my Day 1 post to see the introduction and to find the rest of the posts in the series!

"Sanctification makes me one with Jesus Christ, and in Him one with God, and it is accomplished only through the magnificent atonement of Christ. Never confuse the effect with the cause. The effect in me is obedience, service, and prayer, and is the outcome of inexpressible thanks and adoration for the miraculous sanctification that has been brought about in me because of the atonement through the Cross of Christ." -Oswald Chambers

Don't give yourself so much credit. This morning, remember the Cross and worship.

Worship (Day 19): Stop

 If you're reading my 31-day series on Worship for the first time, consider clicking over here to my Day 1 post to see the introduction and to find the rest of the posts in the series!

Stop using so many words, and just worship.

Worship (Day 18): Using your gifts

If you're reading my 31-day series on Worship for the first time, consider clicking over here to my Day 1 post to see the introduction and to find the rest of the posts in the series!

 

Beginning in January, I resolved to make 2013 a year of creating beauty. No matter what that entailed, I wanted to be able to appreciate the beauty that God has put uniquely inside myself by bringing it out and bringing Him glory. So, I got to work. I simplified our home, created more, use my sewing machine more, intentional-ized more. And the result has been a huge, patchy, beautiful-mess type of lesson on the many ways God has created me to worship Him.

In fact, Emily Freeman just recently wrote an entire book on the million little ways that we can worship Him through our own unique art. I'm halfway through it and I'm already dying to finish it, then read it 3 more times, then read it a few more times until I can soak all of it in because it's just.so.good. I'll talk about it more when I can completely wrap my head around it, but for now just know these things about using your gifts to worship:

1. Do what you love

Worshiping by using your gifts should not be difficult. Your "gifts" are something that God innately created you to enjoy; the million little things that He put you on this earth to do. It could be anything: parenting, counseling, encouraging, painting, crunching numbers, crunching abs, homemaking, researching, or even baking tasty treats. What makes you come alive... even if it seems so tiny that it shouldn't count for anything? For me, it's teaching, sewing, and writing. I love all three things, and even though I may not be the best at any of them, I really thrive when I'm doing them. So rather than trying to fit into a box that you were never meant to go in, do what comes most easily. It's what you were created for!

2. Do it for Jesus

This doesn't mean that you post a little Christian fish symbol on your shop window and call it a day. It doesn't even stop at putting Christ's name somewhere in your business motto. Doing what you love and using your unique gifts for Jesus should come from a deep desire to give a gift of worship to God through the things that you do. I love the way Anne Voskamp sums up worship on her blog:

"When what you do isn't about gaining or getting, but giving a gift to God, only then does your work become worship."

It's easy to take a gift such as teaching or singing and turn it into worship. But what about the little things that are actually big things? Recently, I've been pondering ways to turn my love for sewing into a truly worshipful experience, and it's hard. So much of it allows me to gain and get for myself. But I'm asking and He's answering, and I can't wait to see how He will teach me to worship in little ways such as this.

3. Don't think too big

When I think about using my gifts for worship, I think too big. I think about things that are big and huge and grand, but in the end those things typically point a lot of shiny arrows at me and my big self: Look at me!! See how wonderfully I am worshiping God here with my awesome gifts!!

Start small, but worship Big God: it isn't about gaining or getting. Give your gift to God, humbly, and He'll do as He pleases... even it means that one day, without you even realizing it, it becomes something greater than you ever imagined.



Use your gifts, friends, and worship.

Worship (Day 17): Contrition

If you're reading my 31-day series on Worship for the first time, consider clicking over here to my Day 1 post to see the introduction and to find the rest of the posts in the series!

It should be noted, amongst all this talk about worship coming from our mouths and actions, that worship should come first from humility. As John Piper says in his sermon "Worship God!", "humility is the doorway to worship."

After all, if we take pride in our own works and good deeds, how can we ever worship God for his grace and might? If our pride is in the good things we can give God, how can we ever worship Him for saving us when we were ick and sinful? If the servant of a king was more focused on the good things he was doing for the king than the grandeur of his Highness, does he truly believe that his king is worthy of serving-- or is the servant more focused on being the best servant ever; the one who should receive applause? Maybe the servant can hold that tray really well and stand really still waiting for his master's orders, but the only message his motives are giving is that he wants attention for the things he has done. And as soon as the attention or the praise goes away, his motivation to serve his king is gone.

True worship stems from the humility of knowing that at our core, we are sinful, rotten, undeserving people in great need of God's redeeming love. It's why King David, after committing adultery, realized and prayed "you do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise" (Psalm 51:16-17).

Contrition (a state of remorse) brings us to humbly worship in the knee-scraping, floor-scratching, tearful kind of way. It's the kind of worship that says "I have nothing but You" and "You have given me everything." When we are full of humble contrition, knowing that we are full of sin and death, we can worship Him for everything He has given. Read these truths, friends, and worship:

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"Praise awaits you, Our God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled. You who answer prayer, to you all people will come. When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions." -Ps. 65:1-3

"For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance." -Ps. 66:10-12

"You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you... for great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead." -Ps. 86: 5, 13

"He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me." -Ps. 18:19

"The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love." -Ps. 145:8

"I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." -Isaiah 61:10

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Worship (Day 16): Going Public

 If you're reading my 31-day series on Worship for the first time, consider clicking over here to my Day 1 post to see the introduction and to find the rest of the posts in the series!

Fitting neatly in its box, worship arrives on Sunday morning, amongst other believers, in a dark room known as the "sanctuary." We lift our hands, if we dare, knowing that those around us will not scoff or ridicule-- in fact, we might even be looked upon with even greater respect when we're bold enough to open up.

But what about when the Sunday sun sets and there's no dark room full of like-minded people?

Worship isn't meant to be confined to a room of Christians or a private quiet time. Although genuine, unhindered, beautiful worship can occur in the loneliest moments, it should also happen among the nations (or your next-door neighbor). Consider David's words as He praised the Lord through psalms:

"I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples." -Psalm 108:3

 If I were to list the number of times that David claims to praise the Lord "among the nations," you'd grow tired of its repetitiveness because he says it all.the.time. Yet isn't it a good reminder?

"Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth." -v. 5

If we truly do believe that our God is so great and full of awe, mighty and gracious and creator of all, we will humbly "go public" with our worship. After all, if we have seen something beautiful and breathtaking right before our eyes, wouldn't we share it?

Believe me, I would love to cross the ocean today and share with the nations in their own homes. I would love to worship God in a place where Satan runs rampant, destroying his territory of darkness with the piercing light of Jesus. But the truth of the matter is that I am here and the nations are here. So until I am blessed with another opportunity to hop on a plane, I choose to worship amongst my neighbors, co-workers, and students. I choose to worship at the grocery store. I choose to humbly worship wherever I go, because I am here and I truly believe that God is great... so shouldn't everyone else know too?



...and because sometimes it's just so hard to remember, please please please look up Ellie Holcomb's "My Heart is Steadfast," a song that you'll gladly get stuck in your head. Remember Psalm 108 today, friends, and worship.

Worship (Day 15): When it's hard to remember

If you're reading my 31-day series on Worship for the first time, consider clicking over here to my Day 1 post to see the introduction and to find the rest of the posts in the series!

 

Source

We know that Jesus is in everything...

So why isn't He in our everything?

When it's hard to remember to worship, even amidst fear and awe and gratitude and longing, make yourself remember. There's a reason the Bible encourages us to write God's truth on our doorposts... it's because He knows that in the hustle and bustle of the everyday, we will forget.

Write it on your doorposts. Your mirrors. Your dashboard. Your cell phone. Your painted nails. Your forehead, if you must.

Because sometimes, even when He gives us His creation and mercy and satisfaction and beauty, we still need a way to remember.

Worship (Day 14): Awe

If you're reading my 31-day series on Worship for the first time, consider clicking over here to my Day 1 post to see the introduction and to find the rest of the posts in the series!

Today, remember that God provides us with an easy way to worship. We can worship Him through awe of His creation! Worship Him in the big things:

 

But don't forget to also worship Him in the small, intricate details of life-- things like the forming of a butterfly ...

the growth of a new plant...

or the strange thing that happens when yeast mixes with water.

Big or small, He created each of those things. He created your ribcage to protect your organs, the life cycle to keep the world turning, and the mountains to display His oh-so-wonderful beauty. Worship Him today, in awe of His big and small creations.

Worship (Day 13): What it's not

 If you're reading my 31-day series on Worship for the first time, consider clicking over here to my Day 1 post to see the introduction and to find the rest of the posts in the series!

May your Sunday morning worship be anything but careless.

May your worship be focused, intentional, and public. May you focus your affections on Him, seeking first to magnify His grandeur with words and deeds that flow from your heart.

May you be nothing like the Israelites, who literally sniffed at God and said "what a weariness this is" (Malachi 1). May the movement of your lips in corporate worship not come from boredom, but from a raging heartflow that cannot be dammed up or restrained. And when it does feel boring or contrived... simply listen. And remember that worship, at its core, is being a mirror that reflects His truths right back to Him.

"For the heart is always restless. It must have its treasure: if not in heaven, then on earth" (Piper). This Sunday morning, may your treasure be in heaven and your heart rested in the soft wrinkles of His right hand. And worship.

Worship (Days 10, 11, & 12): Fear

So, it's Fall Break: I've crossed state lines and visited people I've been missing, and getting online to post on Worship these last few days has been far from my mind. But I hope to stay consistent from now until Day 31!

 If you're reading my 31-day series on Worship for the first time, consider clicking over here to my Day 1 post to see the introduction and to find the rest of the posts in the series!

What makes you bone-shaking, teeth-rattling fearful?

My immediate memories of Fear are attached to moments like the first 15 seconds of ziplining over the Amazon jungle (yikes) or teaching my first solo day of student teaching. There was a lot of sweating and worrying and near-crying that went on those days.

The tangible fears-- those of creepy crawlies and standing on the ledge of a roof and hearing someone say the word that starts with "c" and ends in "lumpy"-- those are often the things we answer with when someone asks what we are most afraid of. But what about the intangible, misty, don't-discover-it-til-you're-23 kind of fears? We're talking intangible things like commitment, failure, losing control, or being forever alone. The kind of fears that nobody likes to talk about because the fears are intimately a part of themselves; a portion of themselves that just can't be given up.

What makes you fearful?

And how can your fears lead you to worship?

"The Lord is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid?" -Psalm 27:1

In the deepest, darkest moments of fear, worship God for bringing light to that darkness. Worship Him for being the stronghold, light, and salvation that is cast upon every fear that has ever crept into the crevices of your mind. And, above all, worship Him for being consistently stronger than anything we could ever have to fear.

"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you.'" -Isaiah 41:13

But what about the fears that just won't go away? Worship Him knowing that He will never go away. He holds your hand. He helps you. Yes, even when you stand frozen and trembling and do not trust the strength of His hand-- even still, He will hold your hand. So worship Him for the strength of His caring, tender hand.

As I'm learning these things, I'm finding that worship isn't so complicated after all.

Worship (Day 9): Gratitude

 If you're reading my 31-day series on Worship for the first time, consider clicking over here to my Day 1 post to see the introduction and to find the rest of the posts in the series!

 

When it seems as though you just can't find time to remember to worship, reach in your pocket. Worship is there, hidden under the dry erase marker and paper clips. (Oh wait, you don't have those in your pocket? I'm the only one? Teacher life.) It's always been there.

We've already seen that worship can be simplified to the littlest things that we are doing already: He can be glorified in the longings and desires, the compliments, and the days when nothing seems to go right. And today, when things do seem to go right and my needs are met, I can worship through gratitude.

When I grumble and complain, God gets no glory.

When I hope for greater things and dwell on wishes for the next season, His plan is not treasured.

My expressed gratitude today over the big things-- a home and husband, an exciting job, a car to drive around-- can bring Him glory in the best way, because who is the Giver of such beautiful gifts? Our Provider, King Jesus, Gracious Father God.

But consider this: Gracious Father God gives us the big things to be grateful for, but He also provides those small moments in the whispers of our day. He gives an extra spurt of energy while on a long run, a hot cup of tea on a cold morning, a sunrise each morning, and a beautiful sunset each night. And when we give gratitude to Him for the smallest, nearly-overlooked portions of our day, He is most certainly glorified!

Perhaps my thankfulness can bring Him glory? Perhaps my gratitude is... worship?

"Holy joy lies in the habit of murmuring thanks to God for the smallest of graces." -Ann Voskamp

Worship (Day 8): Longing & Desire

If you're reading my 31-day series on Worship for the first time, consider clicking over here to my Day 1 post to see the introduction and to find the rest of the posts in the series!

What is the thing that you most desire?

What do you long for in the deepest, darkest, most secret part of your soul?

What creeps in, like a sneaky little spider, through the walls that we thought were so sealed up and cemented, and snatches up the joy you held so tightly?

What has brought you to the point of asking God "Why haven't you provided this yet?", as you fiercely point to the years of faithful prayers and waiting?

What do you feel as though you lack?


In the moments that feel like all the sap has run out of you, when a wooden peg has been clumsily forced into your soul and everything inside is leaking out slowly, know that even still you can worship.

Worship Him for everything He is when you can only thinking about the things your life isn't.

Worship Him for His promises you have tasted & seen when you feel like He has withheld some of the others.

Worship Him for His provision, even when it seems that not everything has been provided.

And for Heaven's sake, worship Him for being sufficient even when the thing you most long for has not yet come. Even when the weeks roll by, and that Thing is still not there. Or months. Or Years.

“God never withholds from His child that which His love and wisdom call good. God's refusals are always merciful -- 'severe mercies' at times but mercies all the same. God never denies us our hearts desire except to give us something better.” -Elisabeth Elliot

Today, instead of mourning over my longings and desires, I choose to worship Him for promising to give me something even better.

Worship (Day 7): When nothing goes right

If you're reading my 31-day series on Worship for the first time, consider clicking over here to my Day 1 post to see the introduction and to find the rest of the posts in the series!

Today was supposed to be a really great day.

After eating lunch with my husband (thank you, Fall Break!), I was supposed to drop his tux off from the wedding yesterday. Then I was supposed to go run important Fall-Break-ish errands and grocery shop and run some miles and sew and prepare for my trip to Louisville tomorrow (!!).

But none of that happened. Instead, I got a car that wouldn't start and a grand view of the mall parking lot for a few hours.

When all I want to dwell on is my broken car and shin splints and unanswered prayers and broken plans, He reminds me that His hand is still in everything. He reminds me that He has provided faithful family and a Constant in Himself. And tea; He provides hot tea.

Even when our hearts really, really, really want to dwell on all the bad things, we can worship. And our hearts are renewed because the truths about Himself overcome every single bad thing that ever happens.

Worship (Day 6): Sunday mornings

If you're reading my 31-day series on Worship for the first time, consider clicking over here to my Day 1 post to see the introduction and to find the rest of the posts in the series!

It's Sunday, the day that worship comes the easiest because there is a whole hour set aside for it.

May your Sunday be full of meaningful worship-- the kind where the goodness of God is spoken of in fellowship, remembered in song, and heard in preaching. Don't let this intentional morning of worship pass by without those things.

And as you go from your Sunday morning song-and-fellowship, know that the worship doesn't stop there:

"As you go, may you know the love of Christ
How deep and long, how high and wide
As you leave, may you seek to win the prize
And find His death to be your life

May you go in the love of your Father God
May you go in the grace of Christ
May you go in the power of the Spirit now
To bring Him glory with your life

As you go, may you know the pow’r of grace
His very strength for what’s to come
As you leave, may you feel His mighty hand
Guiding your steps in the race you run

As you go, may you show His heart to bless
The ones with less, the blind and lost
As you leave, may you be the light of Christ
And show our hope is in the cross"

-"As You Go" by Sovereign Grace Music