Supposedly, worship is more than us just singing the words of beloved songs but is us thinking about the words we’re singing.
Usually, when I sit down after we’ve sung a few praise songs in church, my thought process is similar to this: Seriously? Did I really zone out for all of those songs? I just sang four hymns, and they didn’t count for anything? Why can’t I pay attention?
Because I’m too busy staring at the cute guy in front of me and wondering if he’ll ever notice me.
I’m too busy looking at my friend’s bouncy curls and thinking about how I can achieve such beauty.
I’m too busy staring at the clock, thinking about the 15 minutes that have passed since I was last sitting down.
I’m thinking about everything except what I’m supposed to be thinking about.
So why can’t I focus? What is my problem?
It’s called Satan (along with the troublesome triplets named me, myself, and I).
Satan wants to distract me from doing the right thing and from being close with my Savior. He can’t destroy my relationship with Christ because nothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39).
But…
Satan can distract me, help me lose my focus, and get my attention fixed on something else like a cute guy, curly hair, or a ticking clock. He uses whatever he can to tempt me and lure my thoughts away from Christ.
And…
I distract myself from Christ. Even though I’m a Christian, I still have a sin nature that is focused on yours truly. I wonder if my crush ever like me, how I can get curly hair, and when I can sit down.
Somehow, I have no trouble focusing on my family, my friends, my phone, or anything else in my life. Why can’t I focus on Christ for 20 minutes a week during worship?
Because I’m a mess.
My inability to focus is not caused by a case of ADHD. It is not caused by an illness or a disease that can be treated with medication.
My inability to focus can only be treated with the saturation of Jesus and His Word.
If I have a math test to take, I can focus on math by saturating myself with the study of equations, asking my teacher questions, and doing practice problems. Likewise, I can focus on Christ by saturating myself with the study of His Word, talking to Him, and exercising my faith by doing good deeds.
I can’t expect to see results right away. It takes weeks to study something and have the information memorized and ready to use. But we need to persevere in our walk with Christ so that on Sunday morning, we’ll sing “How Great Thou Art” and actually be able to think of the ways that God has been great toward us.
There is one final thing we need to remember about worship:
God does not love us because we sing worship songs and focus on the words. God loves us because we’re His and because He is love.
This whole worship thing is a matter of pleasing and displeasing God. It’s a matter of choosing to think about the words we tell Him through music. On Sunday morning, you probably won’t want to think about the words in a hymn because it’s more fun to imagine yourself next to the cute guy or girl behind you or the big stack of pancakes you’re going to order at lunch. It’s a choice to worship—and it doesn’t come naturally.
God’s love for us is complete. It’s full. It’s finished. But we can try to please Him and bring Him glory forever. There will be no end to that.
We worship to show Him that we love Him and are grateful for what He’s done in our lives.
Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. (Psalm 29:2 NKJV)
True worship gives God glory and honor. We need to worship Him because He’s done so many amazing things for us! Don’t do it so He will grow in His love for you. Do it so you will grow in your love for Him.
I originally published this post on March 3, 2016 (https://tizziestidbits.wordpress.com/2016/03/29/bouncy-curls-and-meaningful-hymns/). I have revised and edited it since then. Enjoy!
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