Ohana: Discipleship and Family with God, pt. IV
Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Now we're all looking toward Christmas and anticipating the celebration and remembrance of the coming of Christ. What a perfect occasion for us to finish our series by talking about worship as family. I can think of no other time of the year that we seem to better understand the communal nature of worship to our God. In our songs, our traditions, our celebration, our fellowship...in all these things we orient ourselves in a lifestyle that glorifies Christ.
What is Worship?
Of course, not all of us worship Jesus in all this holiday beauty. However, I would argue that all are worshipping something, or someone. Worship is not an action. It is an orientation of our hearts. That's what Paul means when he encourages us to "offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship" (Romans 12:1). Worship asks the question: Who am I doing this for? Even brushing our teeth can be an act of worship if we view it through the lens of stewardship of the bodies that God gave us!
That said, what does worship have to do with family? Everything! When we recognize that all of our lives ought to be oriented toward God in worship, then every moment of love between one another becomes an extension of our love for God. In our eating, drinking, living, celebrating, mourning, fighting, and forgiving, we show who we worship. For many of us, we may find that we worship ourselves and the expectations of others far more than God. However, we have the opportunity to change that if we intentionally look at the way we live our lives.
How to Worship as Family
One of my favorite passages in Leviticus is in chapter 23. In the midst of all these laws and regulations, God essentially says, "And here are the parties you should have every year!" In their weekly, monthly, annual, and other regular events, the Israelites remember and celebrate who they are, where they have been with God, and all that God has done for them. This is what it means to worship together as a family. When we share songs, traditions, holidays, language, encouragement, and life, we build a sense of identity together in Christ.
In what ways can you more intentionally engage with Christ with your family? In what ways can you more intentionally engage with others as you worship Christ with your church community?
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