40 Days of Purpose: Day 13 Going all in.

God wants all of you.

That might send shockwaves through your body, the thought of God having everything, knowing everything of you. We have a reluctance to offer all of who we are because who we are may not be good enough. But God loves us just as we are.

Going all in is about worship. Where you worship is not as important as why you worship how much of yourself you offer in worship.

From ‘The Purpose Driven Life’ we are going to look at the kind of worship that brings a smile to God’s face:

• When our worship is accurate. Anchor our worship in truth. We don’t worship a God formed in our own imagination, we worship the creator according to who we see in Scripture.
• Authenticity in worship. Let our worship of God be real and heartfelt. No pretence. God isn’t interested in our showmanship. He wants our heart. Real worship is our spirit responding to God’s spirit. The best style of worship is the one that most authentically represents your love for God, based upon your background and personality God gave you.
• Thoughtfulness in worship. Rick Warren writes, “If worship is mindless it is meaningless”. God’s not impressed with our soundbites and cliches, with our empty “Amen’s“. Let’s engage our mind.
• When our worship is practical. As a church pastor, I’ve been on the receiving end of many an excuse by people not physically being present in a meeting. They have their reason and then remark, “I’ll be there in spirit.” I did laugh reading Rick Warren stating, “Do you know what this means? Nothing. It’s worthless. As long as you’re on earth, your spirit can only be where your body is. If your body isn’t there, neither is your spirit.” Worship is carried out physically as well as spiritually.

This life of purpose, beginning in God, is not always convenient or comfortable. Sometimes its sheer determination of will. Passive worship is an oxymoron.

“The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart.”

Rick Warren

Summary:

Remember – God wants all of me.

Key Bible verse – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30 NIV

Pray – Father, I’m holding nothing back. Have it all.