Bare Worship

Ephesians 5:1-2 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

I remember, when I first started truly loving God, hearing Christians talk of their "devotion time." As they talked, it seemed like an experience that I would NEVER know how to do "right." I just kept listening to learn the "secret"...then, after years of listening, I realized, there is NO secret. Each person did something different and each person experienced the joy of God beside them and speaking to them.

God is present when we worship Him: But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel. (Psalm 22:3, NKJV). He is there in our songs, dances, painting, drawing, writing, reading and silence when we do not know how to worship and desire Him near (Romans 8:26, NLT...and the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groaning that cannot be expressed in words).

We can speak to Him in joy, anguish, anger and peace – there is no “right” way to devote your time to worshipping and being with God. We can be like the Levites, who had the trinkets and Holy articles of worship at their disposal in the temple or we can be like Moses who simply sat with God, no props, on a mountain away from the world, talking and listening to His voice. Both ways (and everything in between) have their seasons and are needed at different times.

Anything that sincerely bares and offers your heart to God is the "right" worship and devotion.

But the time is coming – indeed it’s here now – when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24, NLT)

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:16-17, NIV)