Deuteronomy 6
‘Love the Lord your God with all
your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength’. This, as Jesus
said is the greatest commandment. We are made to love and honour God with every
part of our being. God’s desire is that we are fulfilled as we submit
everything to him in love. Our first calling is to give everything to God; this
is what he’s worth – worship.
Worship is a lifestyle. It is
asking the question, “how can I best demonstrate my love for God right now?”
and acting accordingly. It is being mindful of God during every part of the day
and with every little bit of ourselves. It is being prepared to lay anything
down if, in doing so, we more adequately honour and love the Lord. Worship is a
lifestyle founded on relationship. It is our response of longing for God as we
long for the love of our children or our parents. It is us seeking the best for
God even when it is difficult for us as we often do for our children. It is
carving out the best bit of our time just for God. Worship is loving God
wherever and whenever and however we can.
Not only are we called to live this
but also to proclaim it. To write it on the doorposts, to teach it to our
children, to encourage one another in this way. We are to love God in public
and not to shy away from the whole-hearted devotion he requires. God, by his
Spirit, wants to equip us with his love – we love because he first loved us (1
John 4:19). Pray that the Lord would help you to love him with all of your
heart, soul and strength today and that, as you meet with his people on Sunday
and through the week you would be inspired by their example and drawn more
deeply into the all-consuming, empowering love of God.
(written by a member or
staff)