Music might be one of the most powerful art forms in history. The right notes and rthyms can take you to a special place. Music is an expression of one's feeling and perspective on life. Not only the words, but the melody can penetrate your inner being, and that's why I think worship music is so vital. Worship music is an important tool in today's church. If done right, worship music can set the atmosphere for an entire service. If done right, worship music can help you reverence God in a special way. The only problem is that worship music is not Worship. It is a tool nevertheless, but it is not the essence of the practice. Recently, the body of christ (especially youth) equate worship music as the only way to worship. People believe there is no way to worship God unless you at least have a guitar. Thinking like this has caused us to neglect the core of worship.
What is worship?
In the simpIest terms, worship is a relationship with God. The essence of it has nothing to do with music. Instead, it has everything to do with knowing God and holding him first in our lives. The truth is we can worship anything! We are worshipping whatever we put first in our lives. That could be our boyfriend/girlfriend, school, T.V, or even music (including worship music). You might say the last example is crazy, but if you reference the music that is being played rather than who it is being played for, then we have a problem.
Like I said, worship is a relationship. The definition of worship is reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred. It is whatever you hold sacred in your heart. Jesus explains this with the Samaritan woman in the bible. In John 4:19, the woman notices that Jesus is a prophet and then she says, "Our fathers worshiped pm this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship." (John 4:20). Jesus replied, "But the hour is coming and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such to worship Him." (John 4: 23). This scripture alone is telling us that worship is a spiritual thing. It is what ultimately connects us to our Father. The samaritan woman only thought worship was one way and in one place, but Jesus reminded her that it is not where you are or how you sing, but rather how you are uplifting God through your spiritual life!
Another part of worship is Godly fear. Godly fear requires a relationship with God, and that fear comes from losing that relationship with God. If you have Godly fear, then you will do everything in your power to keep that relationship in order not to lose it. Since Godly fear is the fear of losing your relationship with God, and worship is a relationship with God, then the two are vital to each other.
It is important to know that the key to true worship is putting God first in everything. It isn't just music, but it is reading your bible, praying, and learning more about Jesus and his love. If you base worship off of a certain band or a particular church, you are doing yourself a disservice. If you apply Godly fear in your life then your walk with Christ will mirror exactly what Jesus wants. Treat your relationship with God as sacred, something you do not want to lose. It is time for true worship.
