I might have a measuring stick that measures the truthfulness of our worship. It’s not a complex instrument; rather it’s crude, simplistic and only performs one function. It’s not very useful for measuring others; although, at times, it does work on people you know well and sincerely love.

This measuring stick considers our ability (and disability) to respond to God. It measures our Response-ability.

If worship is a matter of God’s initiative and our response, then our response-ability (ability to respond) says something about us as worshipers. I suppose worship isn’t a matter of measuring what we bring, for God places great value on broken hearts, poverty of talent and halfpennies. God also seems to appreciate fine animals, costly perfume and big bucks. In terms of God’s view of our offerings, God is hard to figure.

So I wonder: Might we (in grace) measure our capacity to worship by our capacity to respond? Should we seek (in grace) to become more and more able to recognize God and more and more responsive to what we see?

King David considered the heavens and work of God’s fingers. He noticed the moon and stars and wondered, “Who am I that you would take notice me?” Then he exclaims, “Lord, our Lord, how majestic in your name in all the earth!” David was responsive to God.

When David’s friend, Nathan, told him of God’s plan to create a household of faith through David’s rule and family, David immediately responded with awe and wonder and thanksgiving. He voiced this thanks in great detail. He withheld no enthusiasm. His response was immediate, generous and full of luster.

The most responsive person I know is also called David. Admittedly, he’s my husband, but if you know him, I think you’ll agree. He has this keen eye for the action of God, and when Dave notices God’s handiwork or presence, he stops. He stops to help strangers, or acknowledge beauty or listen to someone who is lonely. I don’t understand exactly how or why, but Dave is simply responsive to God. It seems there’s a kind of humility in him that’s rare but worth cultivating—a lack of self-consciousness—and a big sense of God-consciousness.

I hope you understand I’m not saying he’s perfect or some sort of spiritual giant. Simply put, I’m saying he has keen eyes and a ready heart, and he tends to credit God for big and small things.

Jesus suggests that true worshipers “worship the Father in the spirit and in truth.” Paul refers to our “spiritual act of worship.” I think we all understand: There is an attitude or approach to our worship that somehow matters. This is a mysterious thing. It’s difficult to quantify or even talk about.

I wonder if we might examine ourselves in terms of our response-ability as worshipers.(?)  What do you think?

One more thing, and it's important. "We cannot lead where we will not go." Aren't the most effective preachers, worship leaders or church leaders responsive to God. How can we ask others to notice or respond to God if we, ourselves, have dull eyes or sluggish hearts?

Looking forward to the discourse,
Katie Martinez

Monday at Noon is a Worship Connection Blog series that appears on Mondays (more or less around noon). Katie Martinez manages worship arts projects for the ECC and helps plan worship at Crossroads Covenant Church in Loveland, Colorado.

Contact us at worship.connection@covchurch.org.

 

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