Let the worship begin
by John Fischer

I think it’s a great idea. The chaplain here at this Christian university I am visiting wants to put a sign over the archway that students walk under when they exit the chapel after a time of worship, and he wants it to read: “Let the worship begin.”

Yes, you read that right. On their way out of the building they read: “Let the worship begin.” After the worship service. After leaving the house of worship. After being led in worship by someone else, the real worship begins. It begins with me and with you, and it begins in earnest. It begins all by myself, because I am beginning it; and if it stops, it stops because I stopped it. No one else is responsible for this.

Worship is not a service. It’s not a string of songs perfectly placed. It’s not a moving choir number or even a stirring sermon. It’s not a reflective moment separated from the rest of my day. Worship is an attitude. It’s a way of looking at life that sees God behind everything. It’s a way of walking into the world, not away from it.

Worship is always there. It’s always available to everyone, but not everyone sees it. And no one sees it all the time. But it’s there nonetheless. It’s there because God is there-because He created the world and put us in it and He inhabits the whole earth. There is no place you can go that He is not there.

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalm 139:7-10)

It is most assuredly true that worship is not a service, it is an act of ones heart that is translated into their actions. All believers should live a life of worship. So…”Let the worship begin.”

~A.W. Tozer