“How do we worship in truth? We cultivate holy curiosity that keeps seeking, asking, knocking. Instead of taking things for granted, we take them for gratitude.”- Mark Batterson
“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”- John 11:23-24 (ESV)
Mark Batterson continues Chapter 9 of A Million Little Miracles as he notes that J. J. Packer studied under C. S. Lewis at Oxford University, where Packer earned his PhD. In addition, Packer wrote more than fifty books and served as general editor of the English Standard Version of the Bible. Above all, Packer stated, “The purpose of theology is doxology.”
Furthermore, during a teaching career at Regent College that spanned four decades, Packer began every class in the same manner. Everyone sang the common doxology. Because that served to remind the students of two things. That it’s all from God and it’s all for God. For unless theology leads to doxology, idolatry results.
Hence, Mark stresses, we must avoid giving God lip service. When we learn how we also need to learn why. To go through the motions results in empty worship. Most significantly, God hardwired worship into the human soul. Consequently, the author asserts, you can’t not worship. Because God imprints His heartbeat on each of us. So, when we worship, we do more than simply engage in the act of worship. We sing back to the God who made us.
In conclusion, Pastor Batterson asks, is the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit the loudest voice in your life? Do those who shame and blame you speak the loudest? Or is it the One who rejoices over you with singing?
As a result, we either build altars to God or monuments to ourselves. The choice is ours. But it’s either one or the other!
Today’s question: How do you cultivate holy curiosity? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Altars and idols – a very fine line”