Its hard to define “worship”. Kinda embarrassing to admit that, being that it is my chosen profession and all, yet it’s true: “worship” is a tough concept to define.
I like to think of worship as an intermingling and interplay of three physical movements—shouting with joy, bowing down, and being embraced by the Lord.
Picture a large crowd lining the roadway in anticipation of the homecoming of your victorious, beloved King. Surprisingly, He has announced His coming, and the people have responded by dropping what they were doing, leaving all, and rushing to meet Him. Off in the distance you see His friends, and you know His coming is near.
First, bubbling with excitement, the crowd is hopping up and down, trying to see Him come, eagerly chattering about how great it will be when He arrives. Older folks in the crowd are telling the younger ones all about the goodness and glory of the coming One. People are sharing stories of the King’s victories and mercies. Suddenly, someone in the crowd starts a chant, proclaiming His wonders; enthusiastically, everyone joins in. Soon, the entire roadway is cheering together—almost yelling—the praises of your King! It’s impossible to be part of that crowd and not feel the power, not join them in shouting with joy for the One who comes!
And then… He comes! As He draws near, the cheering swells with unbearable excitement, and then, spontaneously, the acclaim suddenly dies off. The power is still present. Indeed, it is even more overwhelming than before, yet the crowd, rather than voice its praise, is hushed into awed silence. There He stands! The One you have been waiting for, been singing of… He is here! As He passes through the crowd He both rises above it, and yet is able to make personal contact with each and every individual. He sees! And at that look—a look of majesty… and mercy, a look of authority… and love—at that look, everyone along the road is driven to their knees, not in fear, not in shame, but simply in awe and in love. In hushed silence everyone is overwhelmed with His presence. Everyone is well aware that they are kneeling before the Holy One. As He allows and enjoys the shouts of praise, He now allows and enjoys the awed, reverent silence.
Yet He does not keep His people this way. Individually and collectively, He raises the crowd to its feet—as He lifts you up, you are conscious only of His love, acceptance, and grace. And then, He calls you to come to Him, and embraces you! (How He embraces the entire crowd individually, you’ll never know.) Wrapped in His arms, you hear Him speak—the words of your King!
It would be easy to be overwhelmed at this point, but the power of His words refuse to be lost. His commands are gentle. His love has force and power. His praise motivates. His encouragement empowers. Even His judgments feel freeing. As you bury yourself further and further into His presence, all fear is gone. All hesitation flees away. There is nothing but the King! Filled with the security of having been gripped by His love, the King sends you forth as His friend. You go, not simply remembering His embrace, but continually filled with His presence. The crowd dissipates and returns to their lives, but not really… for you have been touched by the King, and your life will never be the same!
That’s the opportunity we have every Sunday - to drop everything that we are doing, come into His presence with the crowd, sing praises to Him, bow in prayer, be embraced by Him as we hear His Word, and go forth filled with His presence - never to be the same.
To the praise of His Glory! Henry
