I'm in my seat. The worship leader starts engaging everyone into worship. The instruments start playing, and I stand up, looking at the words projected onto the screen. The song gets me clapping along, and after a couple more quick songs, the ones that really tug at my heart strings start to ring in my ears. I maybe even dare to harmonize, raise my hand, or both hands. The chorus hits and I close my eyes, belting the poetic (or repetitive) lyrics to the heavens. Then there may be a Scripture quoting or a great prayer, I take my seat, and listen to the pastor about to deliver his message.

It's worship, right?

Worship is actions and attitudes of reverence and adoration to our God.

Worship is prayer, whether for myself or others.

Worship is using my gifts to advance the Kingdom of Heaven.

Worship is tithing that 10 percent to my church.

Worship is singing and raising my hands in praise to the Father.

Worship is from the heart, my heart.

But if I sing, whether on stage, at my seat, or at the altar, and my mind is filled with the worries of tomorrow, it means nothing.

If I sit in my seat, attentive and taking notes on the pastor's message, but if I forget all he talked about after the service ends and continue with my wayward ways, it means nothing.

If I pray, for every country, for every friend and family member, for every tragedy and sickness, but I'm insincere, it means nothing.

If I use my God-given gift of writing, but only worry about how many shares and likes I get, it means nothing.

Worship is not all about the music, the show, or the pizzazz. The music means nothing if my heart isn't in the right place, if my motives are skewed, and my attention is somewhere other than on the God who deserves my all.

Yes, the lights, the cool techno, the instruments, the lyrics, and the atmosphere of praise and worship time are great and it looks awesome, but does it truly matter if the hearts of those leading or engaging are not in the right place?

While preparing for this article I wanted something that would attract attention, that would be funny, that would get shares so I could try to win money, and I had to ask myself,

Is my heart in the right place?

I took this opportunity of being a content creator for Odyssey as a door opened to me by God because I love to write. If I shove aside that motivation to be used by Him, and replace it with the motivation of popularity and money, is it even worth doing? What am I gaining if those material things are my motivation?

Nothing. It means absolutely nothing.

Jesus didn't die on the cross to gain followers, become popular, get more shares, have more likes, or receive money.

Where was His heart? He wanted to obey His Father's perfect will.

From His obedience, he did gain (and is still gaining) followers, followers who sail the seas to spread His Word, who die in His name, who sacrifice all they have to serve and worship Him. We see His true act of worship as the ultimate act of sacrifice, and we need to follow in His steps.

He deserves all of my worship, all of my praise, all of me.

Why should I try to drag my own motivations into this life that I am striving to live for Him?

I'm asking these questions and I'm pointing the finger at myself. I know I am in the wrong the majority of the time and I find myself with worldly motivations, only to be temporarily satisfied.

So Lord,

Be my inspiration to go to the nations.

Let my words bring forth adoration.

Let my actions show all You are my foundation.

Put me together, restoration.

Let your light shine, reflection.

I will run this race with dedication.

You are my redemption.

Blood red, no transgressions.

Your Word I read, absorption.

To them I teach, regurgitation.

Let your voice speak through me, clarification.

Let my life be a devotion.

Constantly fighting with my emotions,

To gain control of my flesh, I bow in submission.

Take control, Lord.

I give you my passions.

Lead me and I will follow your direction.

My future is Yours, my declaration.

Use me, oh Lord, as a vessel, inundation.

This is my testimony, my witness, my prayer,

my proclamation.

As I close, I ask you these two questions.

Worship, are you doing it?

If yes, is your heart in the right place?