If someone were to ask if we are a worshipping culture, most would say, "Not really." But our actions speak differently. We have weekly gatherings of up to 100,000 frenzied fans watching a ceremony of men dressed in very strange costumes acting out a violent drama of conquest. Hundreds of thousands of others stay at home and join in the ceremony by way of a small, sometimes large glowing shrine set up in the media room or the family room. Fans of professional football are probably not even aware that their behavior could be described as worship. Or consider how thousands of young people scream and carry on, throwing themselves at the stage where their rock-star idols are performing. And, lest we be too pious as Christians, how many believers worship a "Christian" music style, performer, or group? (Taking it much more seriously than opportunities of worshipping the Lord privately, as well as with the gathered body.)
Human beings were created to worship. We have that need born in us. To worship is to give ultimate value to an object, person, or God - revering, adoring, paying homage to, and ultimately obeying by ordering the priorities of our lives around that which we most worship. The Bible clearly teaches that God alone is worthy of our worship. There is nothing inherently wrong with the above mentioned, but we do need to be careful where our priority in worship lies.
Throughout scripture God is clear in His desire for us to worship Him. At the beginning of this new year, let us check our worship priorities. If He is not first, then it can't be called worship. mjm
