Why indeed?
What is the point of these incessant “That’s worship” emails?
And why that “Ordinary” word again? Is it just because the church is called Ordinary Faith? Or is there something more?
Most importantly, WIIFM?
Experienced sales people sometimes joke that everybody’s favorite radio station is WII-FM.
It’s an acronym for “what’s in it for me?”
Over time we will unpack these ideas further. But today’s as good a time as any to begin.
Several years ago I began a blog called Uncluttered Worship. With short legs and stunted wings it never really got off the ground. But a seed was planted to simplify the idea of worship into meaningful daily nibbles. A tip of the hat to Micheal Maynard for the phrase “Worship Calisthenics”.
When worship leaders and pastors climb up on soap boxes to explain what worship is, they very often wax poetic with eloquent, loquacious definitions that would make a seminary professor proud.
Understand—it isn’t that their DEFINITIONS are necessarily wrong. And it probably isn’t that the people giving those definitions have poor intentions. They don’t.
But in my personal (but correct) opinion it’s simply a mistake to complicate something utterly simple. Particularly with something so fundamental to our relationship with God.
So here’s where I’m coming from:
• The practice of Worship is simple enough a toddler can do it. So it doesn’t need to be complicated.
• The ultimate goal is for Worship to become a lifestyle choice. As routine as coffee or teeth brushing.
• The return on Worship (WIIFM?) is a maturing relationship with God. That makes connecting with the sovereign Lord of the Universe feel as easy as hanging out with your bestest friends.
Ordinary even.
Why do this on an every-day-after-day basis?
Because you simply can’t lead someone else to a place you’re not familiar with. And the more familiar a person is with where they’re going, the better a leader you’re going to be.
I can vividly recall Dr. Iverna Tompkins teaching that no matter what church she’d be at on Sunday, she would appoint herself as the worship leader for her section—whatever seats surrounded her.
We are all worship leaders. Whether we’re on the stage or in the seats. We are all worship leaders.
So we all need to be accustomed with leading and knowing where we’re going. In the worship of God with all its forms, including singing and teaching and counseling and thanksgiving:
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
Colossians 3:16, NLT
Today, simply follow me in a very ordinary song, a very ordinary prayer based on Psalm 104:
O worship the King all-glorious above, and gratefully sing his power and his love:
Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days, pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.
O Worship The King, 1833, Robert Grant
Read the lyrics or sing the song, quietly or aloud. And let the message fill your life with a thankful heart.
That’s worship.
–Steve.