I want to begin by noting the distinction between worship as an orientation and worship as an performance. In the former sense worship has to do with God-directedness. The question is, Are our lived lives directed toward God, do we find ourselves animated and organized by God-consciousness? Worship, in this sense, is doing whatever one does – seriously, whatever - “as unto the Lord.” It is offering everything always to God reverentially, joyfully, thankfully, humbly.
This is what we were made for. It is, as Paul says, fitting for us, a “reasonable service” (Rom 12.1). We’re never more ourselves than when our lives are oriented to God in worship.
In the second, narrower sense, worship is a performance, something done occassionally and formally. This is carried out carried out at a certain time and place, according to certain ceremonial rules, and requires the participation of certain individuals.
Psalm 101.1-2 refers to both dimensions of worship:
I will sing of your love and justice;
to you, O LORD, I will sing praise.
I will be careful to lead a blameless life-
when will you come to me?
I will walk in my house
with blameless heart.
The “singing” of vs. 1 is in service of the “living” of vs. 2; the worship-performance informs and energizes the worship-orientation. Here’s the basic logic: Worshipping with one another as the church gathered makes it possible for us to live the lives God wills from us as the church scattered.
This, of course, isn’t ground-breaking! We all knows this. But, unfortunately, we – and here I’m referring specifically to my fellow mid-American Pentecostals – have forgotten what that performance should consist of.
To be continued…
