The "worship wars" that took place in churches several decades ago highlighted a significant concern still present today. According to data from a study presented at Baylor University by researcher George Barna, the real issue is not the choice of music by churches but rather people’s interest in, understanding of, and engagement in the act of worshiping God. Gen Z churchgoers today desire powerful worship songs that facilitate an experience with God. For this generation, attempts to be culturally relevant and ‘cool’ is a turnoff, and it appears the church is trying too hard to be appropriate. Worship comes from the heart as we worship the Truth of who God is as revealed in his word.
When Jesus spoke with the Samaritan woman in John 4, they discussed the differences between Jews and Samaritans, as well as the location of worship (Jerusalem or Mount Gerizim). Jesus indicated that the location of importance is in one’s heart. “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 4:23-24)
We are to Worship in Spirit and Truth. Spirit here means the spirit within you, though some think it also points to the role of the Holy Spirit in worship. Yet it is taken here as the human spirit encountering the Truth of who God is as revealed by the Holy Spirit enabling you and prompting you to sing praises to the Lord. But it is not limited to singing; your whole life is given over to Him, surrendered to Him as you serve Him in reverence and awe. This commitment is where ordinary events become divine encounters. On an average day, running errands, God is present and seeks out our worship, leading us to serve and praise Him at CVS or while doing dishes or mowing our lawn.
The key to our worship is that it is heartfelt based on the reality of who God is, not what we wish him to be. Our worship of the Lord is to be consistent with the teaching of Jesus. Jesus expressed that the desired worshipers are those who sincerely worship the Holy, loving God in their heart of hearts, as seen in the person of Jesus Christ. Let’s strive to be the kind of worshipers the Father seeks every day of the week.
