“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe…” Hebrews 12:28 ESV

When or where did today’s church make a distorted turn when it comes to worship? The message that we hear so often every week is to assemble for worship. It’s like the reason we assemble is to make it possible for you to worship. The implied message (though not intentionally meant) is that worship is something that is done only in church through music. Again, we are instructed to gather together and praise our Lord. This is a good thing. The problem though is when we limit worship to only a church service and music. When we do, we put God into a tiny box.

The Hebrew word used throughout the Bible for Worship is closely related and sometimes interchangeable with the word Work. If you take the time to study, you will find that the Hebrew Scriptures associate worship and work as bedfellows.

I sometimes think we in the western world conduct ourselves in Church the opposite of God’s original intentions. We generally follow the world’s systems until we discover God’s ways. Take for example the Sabbath. The Hebrews kept the seventh day as a day of rest. They worked six days and rested on the seventh day. A part of their rest was attending a local synagogue. In our post-modern Christian world, we attend a church service where we are bombarded in the opposite way. We are typically encased with a Broadway-type staged music performance that is played so loud that one cannot hear themselves sing out of key. At times it brings back memories of attending a rock concert. It makes one wonder whether or not many of us expose ourselves to strong worship/work during services and then find our peaceful rest during the remaining week. Hopefully I’m the only person who sees it that way and the majority have their act together better than I.

Meanwhile, imagine a life where your work is your worship to God. Where your motive and intentions are to glorify God. What level of quality would you display in your work for God’s glory? How would you relate with your fellow employees if your work was to glorify God? How would you tackle that difficult customer if your work was to glorify God? If you are fortunate (or unfortunate) to own the business, does your brand, service, product, and culture emulate God’s glory? If your work is your worship to God, how does that show up in your business?

Tough questions. Yet when one discovers how Christ makes everyday work and business about Him and his Kingdom, the path opens quickly and the motivation is unceasing. To worship God through all you do is the most rewarding journey this life offers. Seize it. Ride it. Enjoy the life we have in Christ as we worship Him and serve others through the work we do every day.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Chair, Consultant, Encourager
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
* Great Business Emulates a Good God
* Be Radical…Follow Christ!
* Simply The Messenger
* Unequally Married

Learn. Integrate. Grow.