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Becoming What We Worship

February 26, 2015 By Jean Wise

healthyspirituality.org

A person will worship something, have no doubt about that.

We may think our tribute is paid in secret in the dark recesses of our hearts, but it will out. That which dominates our imaginations and our thoughts will determine our lives, and our character.

Therefore, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshiping we are becoming.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

This quote about becoming what we worship stopped me cold. I felt that nudge from the Spirit to pay attention.

What am I worshipping?

I would love to say I only worship, bow down to God, the Creator and Almighty. But in reality I know when I am honest, that my eyes often focus on other things.

My heart yearns for accomplishment.

My eyes see the glitter of the world.

Envy and discontent pop up when I desire what others have.

I remember pacing the floor, my tummy swirling in knotted anxiety as the Ohio State Buckeyes played in their last few games towards this year’s national championship. I remember thinking – why don’t I get this excited, this focused, this determined in my devotion to God?

I knew there was a vast difference in what I say and in how I practice.

“Tell me to what you pay attention and I will tell you who you are.”

~Jose Ortega y Gassett

I give the power to insignificant distractions to form my identity instead of remembering, embracing and living from the reality that I am a child of God.

What am I worshipping?

What am I willing to sacrifice my life for?

Where do I spend my money, my time, my energy?

“We must never rest until everything inside us worships God.”

 A. W. Tozer

I worship God because of who he is, not for what I am.

“You become like what you worship. When you gaze in awe, admiration, and wonder at something or someone, you begin to take on something of the character of the object of your worship.”

― N.T. Wright

Worshipping God and only God allows the Creator to shape me in his mold. What I focus my heart and eyes upon, I become. I imitate, reflect on where I fix my attention.

Convicting thoughts today.

Disquieting questions to consider.

All moving me out of my comfort zone to reach for the mysterious unknown of true worship.

What are you worshipping?

 

 

 

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Filed Under: spiritual practices

Comments

  1. Christopher Jennings Penders says

    February 28, 2015 at 8:00 am

    Good Morning, Jean:
    My faith is very important to me. I may not show it in the traditional way of attending organized religion, however I do worship and pry to God ALL the time. I don’t necessarily call what I do prayer, because my interpretation of prayer is one sided. I carry on a daily conversation. I’m always communicating with God. And I’m always looking for responses. I see those responses in signs I get from HIM. So I do worship God and I am grateful for all he has given me, both the challenges and he blessings. Because in the end even the challenges become blessings.
    —
    Chris

    • blankJean Wise says

      February 28, 2015 at 3:09 pm

      those daily conversations are prayers and a wonderful open way to communicating with our Creator and that is worship too. Thanks for commenting, Chris

  2. blankNancy Ruegg says

    February 26, 2015 at 3:25 pm

    I, too, found much wisdom to ponder in this post, Jean. To be honest, my thoughts often swirl around accomplishment, too–to complete projects around our new-to-us home, to fulfill a dream, to check off boxes on the to-do list, etc. That quote of Tozer’s about not resting until everything inside us is worshiping God is the TRUE accomplishment I need to seek! Thank you, Jean.

    • blankJean Wise says

      February 27, 2015 at 9:28 pm

      Those quotes really resonated with me too Nancy. Lots of ponder and pray about. Have a wonderful weekend.

  3. blankMartha Orlando says

    February 26, 2015 at 8:56 am

    These quotes and your words, Jean, truly made me sit up and take notice. Who or what am I worshiping? Am I focused on God, becoming more like Jesus because of that focus? Or am I allowing distractions to pull me off of that focus? I will be pondering and praying . . . Blessings!

    • blankJean Wise says

      February 27, 2015 at 9:27 pm

      I know Martha, this quote did the same for me. Sharpened by focus on what really matters and very appropriate as I am on retreat this weekend. Taking a quick break after a very intense day of inner work to check emails before bed.

  4. blankJViola79 says

    February 26, 2015 at 7:58 am

    Jean, this post brought to mind a few verses, that when I first came to realize what they were saying, was very sobering to me >> “Those who make them (idols) will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.” (Psalm 115:8). “They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves” (Jeremiah 2:5). Much wisdom to be found in the quote by N.T.Wright & in this post!

    • blankJean Wise says

      February 27, 2015 at 9:26 pm

      Great Bible verses to add. I know my life verse is to keep my eyes on Jesus – when I do that, he becomes the center of my worship. But eyes do wonder don’t they? have have wonderful weekend full of blessings!

Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

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