The Undivided Worshipper
By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor
Based on the book The Unquenchable Worshipper by Matt Redman
"In a potentially hypnotizing world, the challenge for undivided worshippers is to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus--simple to define perhaps but in practice not quite so easy. Our hearts are tugged in so many different directions. Around every corner are new distractions fighting for our attention--so many things that could deflect our time and energy away from loving God. The Psalmist cried out, "Give me an undivided heart" (Psalm 86:11) -- Redman
Do you see distractions for what they are? Are you able to recognize when tasks, opportunities and 'good time spent' are still meaningless and empty? Christ's desire is that we utilize our time effectively, not just to be personally productive but meaningful in the work God has called us to do - "feed my sheep". (John 21:17)
If you look back through your day yesterday, can you recount how your time was spent? Perhaps you woke up on time, ate breakfast, got the kids ready for school, dropped off some drying cleaning and spent the next four hours at work. Over your lunch hour you ran to the bank, picked up a sandwich at McDonalds, scoffed that down with just enough time to spare to run into Wal-mart to pick up a prescription. Then it was back to work for another four hours, and out the door, had to stop to fill up on gas, finally got home just to remember there was really nothing in the fridge to cook anyway, threw a load of laundry in the machine, a load of dishes in the dishwasher, packed the kids up and took 'them' to McDonalds (ha ha). Back at home, it's time for homework, unloading the dishwasher, starting the laundry in the dryer, and sitting down with the checkbook to pay bills. And perhaps in all of this, either while driving in the car, or sitting at your computer desk, you might hear a Christian song play in the background or maybe a phone call with a friend sparks conversation about your relationship with God, but more than likely the majority of your day was filled with 'stuff you had to do'. How is it that we can have an undivided heart in that stuff too. "It's ironic, but sometimes the things that pull us away from the feet of Jesus are in themselves 'Good Things'." (99)
We need to truthfully admit that this is the pace of the world in which we live. You're not going to be able to escape from the things you must do. However the attitude in which you do them can be one of worship instead of obligation. In Romans 12:1 Paul encourages us to be pleasing to God in whatever we do. Your eating, your driving, working, dropping off the kids, unloading the dishwasher, paying the bills … yes … even paying the bills. Thinking in this frame of mind will help guard your heart and keep your mind alert to the things that would distract and lead you off course.
Post a Comment