Authentic Worship

Sometimes I think that we as Chrsitians think that worship is something that we do on Sunday mornings when we sing songs, pray and listen to the preacher say a few words. I realized a few years ago that worship is not only this but it is an ongoing process and lifestyle that we should strie to have.I was reminded of that today. Worship isn't something that just happens on Sunday morning. Its a lifestyle that gives worth to God. That is the definition of worship "giving worth to God". Isn't that we are doing in a service? Giving our attention over to God and giving him all the praise and glory. But should it stop there. Defenitely not. its not something that only happens from 9 to 10 on Sunday morning, its something that happens from January 1st to January 1st. Worship is when we take the focus off ourselves and turn it towards God. This choice of where our focus is happens everytime we are faced with a decision. Should I read my Bible or watch TV, should I go to youth group or go hang out with other friends, should I sreve others or just worry about myself. We are faced all the time with wether or not to give worth to God by doing what the word says or give worth to ourselves by doing what the world says.

After realizing that worship isn't something that just happens for an hour I think we need to ask ourselves what is authentic worship. Are we faking our way through life by doing the right thing simply besause its the right thing to do. Or are we doing the right thing becuse it is what God wants us to do and we want to give the praise and glory to him? Is our worship authentic? When we sing the songs on Sunday morning are we sining them because we really mean them and they are our prayer? Or are we doing it to show off our vocal skills? (I know the anwser for some of us would defenitely not be to try to show off our vocals). But are the words really coming from the heart?

I think in today's society it is sooo easy to fake our worship. It is easy to do the right thing because it makes us look "spiritual" and it makes us look good in front of piers. i constantly have to check myself and ask myself if i'm just going through the motions or do I really mean what I say and do. i also have to ask myself if I am constantly worshipping God. If I am constantly giving all my attention over to him all the time. That is so hard to do. But i don't doubt God when he says that the rewards will be awesome.