True Worship

‘Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.’  John 4:23 (NIV)

One religion points to a particular method.  The next religion stands on another teaching.  In this complex world we ourselves are generating, who is to say is right?  Many of the modern churches follow similar doctrines and teach similar forms of worship.  Yet who is to say that their religion is better than the next?  Some hold tightly to one or two points, which they feel distinguish them or make them more Biblically correct.  Some can worship only in certain places or days.  Food, drink, jobs, tithes, dress and a host of beliefs may differentiate between one worshipper and the other.  But who are the true worshippers?

Perhaps before we start a riot and each begin to sling mud, we should all bring ourselves before the Lord.  Before we puff ourselves up on our ability to decipher Scripture, could we come to the Source?  By this should we mean merely looking at the Bible passages?  Or should we actually bow to our knees in the Presence of the Lord?  Could we put aside our issues and seek first the God of Love?  If we were able to actually stand within His Presence today, how much of these other issues would overshadow the View of God before us?  Would God Himself more than fill our sight?  Actually standing in front of the throne, would we see only this doctrine or that?  If we could gaze past time, creation, our own agendas and this planet where we live, do we think the Splendor which comes into view would be made up of places, days or rituals?  Were we to stand within the Piercing Brightness of the glory of God, do we think we would be concerned about the type of clothing we were wearing?  Or would our attire be one of the last thoughts on our minds?  Would we be far more conscious of His immensity and His righteousness?  Would our hearts still hold firm on our favored doctrines?  Or would we be swept away by the unfathomable Beauty of all that we were seeing of an almighty and unending God?

Jesus speaks directly to the woman at the well.  He tells her and all of us to come after, what true worship is like.  Can we hear Him encouraging us in our favored differences?  Or does His voice direct us to God?  Do His words lead us into the very Presence of the Divine?  Are we made to stand not before men and their opinions, but really and truly before God Himself?  Are we made big?  Are we made important?  Are our ideals, our opinions, and our interpretations taking the front seat?  Or is God looming into view?  Is His Presence being felt?  Are we hearing His voice?  Is it booming in our ears?  Is it leading us closer in relationship to Him?  Does it lead our every step?  Does it fill our hearts, our souls and our attention?  Is it Him that we see?  Are we truly worshipping Him?  Are we the true worshippers?  Or have we got lost on a million lesser points along the way?

Dear Lord, please help us past ourselves.  Take our hands and lead us into the very Presence of God!  Let our eyes not fill with the world, our issues, or anything less than You!  Correct teaching may help us find You, but do not let us settle for the teachings!  Let us have You!  Let us use Your instruction to FIND You!  Let it bring us before the throne today!  Let all we have learned bring us into a closer bond!  Let us enter a relationship, a love affair, a communion with You that never ends!  Blend our hearts and souls to the point that we cannot live, move or breathe without You!  And when we approach You so fully, when You have all our attention in every moment, then we will know that we are truly worshipping You!  Take us that far in Truth, we pray!

Amen