The Worship Machine

Looking inside a mechanical clock may lead the inquisitive mind to wonder or the mechanical mind to find tranquility.  A numerous amount of gears, cogs, wheel springs, and levers provide the “guts” of a very ornately designed machine that has directed mankind for centuries.  This small machine could also lead us to an even better understanding of the inner workings of faith based worship, which is our life as believers (Romans 12:1, Colossians 3).

Worship may very well be one of the most used and most often misunderstood terms of postmodern Christendom.  In many of our circles of influence, we recognize the term worship in relation to a service time or a positive message of lyrics put to music.  My intentions are not to try to change the culture in this respect but to rejuvenate our minds back to thinking biblically.  The depth of Christ-centered worship is found to be endless when compared to any earthly symbol of worship.  Worship has become the songs that we sing rather than the reason why we sing.  It has slowly moved from its original intent of being the machine to serving in the capacity of just another cog or wheel.  When worship is the machine, the product that is made is solely in respect for the One who created it.  However, when worship is found to be just another cog along side many other cogs, it begins to take a new role.  This shift is taking place.  Instead of radical lives devoted to the advancement of the Kingdom in all realms of life, the trend has become devotion to selfish ambition with the occasional “sexy” idea of worship and missions.

Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven - for she loved much.  But he who is forgiven little, loves little (Luke 7:24 ESV).

May I also say, “he who is forgiven much loves much.”  In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve looked to be more like God even though God had already made man in His own image.  The idea of worship should never be us aspiring to be more like God through selfish ambition but should be about us acknowledging that God became like us for the forgiveness of sins.  Therefore, the life worship we live should be fueled by the overflow of forgiveness and mercy we have been shown.  Then, and only then, will the machine begin to operate as it should.  Then, and only then, will the Father be most glorified, and God’s people be the most empowered to overcome the power of sin.

Much like the inside of a clock, the depths of our faith walk with Christ may look very similar.  Inside the clock there is a diversity of gears and cogs all working together with different roles to ultimately provide one lasting outcome, the continuation of time.  Inside each and every believer there are divinely inherent characteristics that may look different from the outside but are all working together for one common goal, the continuation of worship for a King.

Worship is not just another facet of our life; worship must be our life.  Worship is not just another gear or cog, but it must be the machine.

Scripture reminds us that the very heart of Christ was His obedience and therefore worship to the Father.

And going a little farther He fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will but You will (Matthew 26:39 ESV).

Christ’s obedience to the Father was not magnified only through one specific event or gear of His life but was made evident by His life.  There were many different cogs that made up the parts of Christ’s ministry, but, in the end, all those different parts were found working together.  They were there in the Garden of Gethsemane for one common goal, the continuation of worship.  The steadfast obedience of Christ’s life was found to be the very backbone that held His worship together.  He desired nothing more than to be found obedient in the eyes of His Father, even if that obedience was to lead Him to His death.

May all of us seek obedience and a greater understanding that our worship of the Almighty does not rest solely within certain gears or cogs in our everyday life.  But it is only when our many gears and cogs work together for the will of the Father that true worship is born and is found overflowing as an echo of faith based obedience.