In Chapter 8 of The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren revisits a concept he discussed in Chapter 2- that we are not an accident. Stated positively, we were planned for God’s pleasure:
“The moment you were born into the world, God was there as an unseen witness, smiling at your birth. He wanted you alive, and your arrival gave him great pleasure. God did not need to create you, but he chose to create you for his own enjoyment. You exist for his benefit, his glory, his purpose, and his delight.”
We bring God pleasure through worship. Pastor Warren observes that anthropologists have noted that the urge to worship is universal. We have an inbuilt need to connect with God. If we don’t worship Jesus, we’ll find a substitute- perhaps even ourselves. Rick continues with 5 comments about worship:
1. Worship is a lifestyle.
2. Worship is not a synonym for music.
3. Worship does not refer to a particular style of music.
4. We worship to bring glory and pleasure to our Creator.
5. Worship is not an isolated segment of your life, it is your life.
Especially during our desert, transitional period, we need to be intentional about St. Paul’s words in Romans 12:1 (The Message):
“Take your everyday, ordinary life- your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking around life- and place it before God as an offering.”
