From Outlet To Ritual In Worship

Over the next few postings I will be writing about some observations in my own life about taking certain aspects that are intended to be outlets and the danger in turning them into rituals thereby taking the life right out of them.

I have a small working list in different areas I experience tension with this concept. One main one is my life of worship to God. So many things if I am not careful can become just part of my daily routine. Read my bible, Pray, Smile at People, doing other things that Christians do, etc. This is not anything new...Jesus warned the people of His day in these dangers. He was involved in a very ritualistic society and religion. There was a certain way to do everything, from washing your hands to prayer and seeking reconciliation relationally. The challenge was that the people removed the heart out of the equation and it became overly mechanical.

We all know the difference it makes when our hearts are in something and when it is not. Even if we can manage to fool everyone else, we know there are two people we will never fool, self and God.

When it comes to a lifestyle of worship, I wonder how many of us are walking around without engaging our hearts in worship any longer. We know how to play the part, we can even fake our way in the presence of others and our performance can even be inspiring. But our hearts as scriptures says "are far from Him".

Wondering if you have gone from outlet to ritual in worship?

Ask yourself these questions:

Am I motivated to help others out of love or obligation?
When I sing songs of praise, am I including my heart or just reading words from a screen?
When I give back through tithes and offerings am I committed to being obedient or just making sure I don't feel guilty?
As I read God's Word do I have a desire to let His Word read me or do I just want to check off something on my to-do list?

These are just a few questions I wrestle with when I am asking myself this question.
God has offered us an incredible freedom in life with Him.
Our tendency is to take what is meant to be wild and unbridled and fence it in in order to control it.

Maybe somethings in life are supposed to just stay wild.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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