"Worshipping God to me means that I can have a connection with him. It"s like I can go to him and worship, and I can lift a heavy burden from my shoulders," says Sarah, 11.
God wants to lift our burdens, but he can"t as long as we"re tightly grasping them. Have you ever noticed how some people derive their identity from their burdens? In worship, we"re caught up in the immensity of God. It"s easier to stop grasping to control our world and to start trusting a loving God who has a bigger plan for us than we can imagine.
The apostle Peter wrote: "Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:6-7)
"When we worship God, our problems become smaller, and God becomes bigger," says Marlee, 9. "We need to realize God is bigger and stronger. He is truly an awesome God."
"To God, your problems are like a piece of candy," says Abby, 9.
It"s dessert time whenever God"s children hurl a problem on him. Parents like to help their small children with problems that appear so big to them. Seeing God in worship keeps us attuned to our childlike dependence on him.
"Worship means that God is getting the things he most deserves -- worship, praise, love, respect and so much more," says Alexandra, 10. "Also, it can be very fun to worship God," adds Austin, 12.
Children are happy and secure when they know their parents love them. Parents radiate delight when their children love, respect and honor them. I once had a neighbor who looked at her young daughter and said, "There"s my heart walking around."
It"s no different with God. He delights in us when we worship, praise, love and respect him.
"Worship means to lift your hands, pray and be glad you are the son or daughter of Christ," says Cassey, 12. If you"ve never thought of worship as celebration, think again.
Many Christians have never thought of worship as multidimensional: praise, thanksgiving, celebration, rejoicing and the quiet, still voice of God that comes through meditation on the Scriptures. It"s too easy for us to associate worship with a familiar form. Discover God in a new venue by breaking out of the worship box that confines you.
"Worshipping is going to church every Sunday, praying or reading the Bible," says Blake, 9. You mentioned three activities of worship, Blake. Let me suggest a combo you may never have considered. Have you ever prayed the words of the Bible?
Select a passage of Scripture, meditate on it and pray it back to God in your own words. You could even do this with a friend. Meditation is usually associated with images of eastern mystics chanting a meaningless mantra to empty their minds.
Bible meditation fills the mind with God through concentration on his Word. Psalm 1 begins with a promise of blessing for anyone who meditates on the Scriptures. In Jesus, the Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us, the apostle John wrote. The written Word and the living Word are inseparable.
Think about this: All true worship focuses on the exalted Lord Jesus, whom God the Father raised from the dead and placed upon heaven"s throne.
Memorize this truth: "Blessed (SET ITAL) is (END ITAL) the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight (SET ITAL) is (END ITAL) in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night." (Psalm 1:1-2)
Ask this question: Have you ever meditated on Bible passages and prayed them to God as a means of worship?
