Why is it that we find worship so hard as a way of life? It’s hard enough in church when we are there, worship team in front of us and the people around us are clapping, raising their hands etc. Our mind’s though aren’t confined to the 4 walls of a church building, and neither are our hearts. We can be worried, tired, distracted etc. and I haven’t even mentioned Monday morning!
I have recently been trying to make more space and open up my spirit so that God can occupy that central place in my life. I am more convinced than ever this is what is needed, but it is not a quick fix. It’s messy because God won’t let me fake it. It’s more than just a “truth” that I have to grab hold of, it is a person living inside me and influencing everything around me because of our relationship.
Now that sounds super-spiritual but it’s way to0 messy to be super-spiritual. It’s like climbing a mountain which is pretty steep, with the sides made up of lot’s of dirt and loose stones. You are taking steps forward, but there is also lot’s of sliding backwards.
But it’s oh so worth it! There is a new profound sense of peace building in my life, it’s gathering momentum. It’s not a fragile peace but something that, as it grows in strength, provides shelter from the storms we all face.
And yet while this can sound simple it’s not that easy. I have found that for us to make room for God in our lives, we have to surrender our lives. It is impossible to connect or maybe even have God at the center of our lives, living in our spirits, if we live life according to our own agenda.
Part of how we can express our worship lifestyles is through the music/language of surrender. I came across a quote the other day, can’t remember who or where, that basically says “it is not the job of our wills to choose but rather to consent”.
I think why so many of us are frustrated with our “christianity” is so much of it comes down to us choosing this over that, choosing to believe this or that, which is all good by the way. HOWEVER it seems like all we ever do is “choose”, which doesn’t need relationship. Compare that to consenting, which requires not only relationship but a certain level of intimacy and trust.
I’m still unpaking this, so take some time to think about it and let me know your thoughts and comments!
Justin's Blog 
wow im not entirely sure what your trying to say… but i like what your thinking about 🙂 hehe
have you came up with some kind of conclusion to your thoughts?
Okay, I just re-read what you wrote and im still a little stuck so im gona list down a few words that stuck out to me.
– Worship : hard
– Relationship
– Surrender
– Choice : will
– Consent
– Trust
– Making room for God
– Growing : peace
And here goes my thoughts…
Being in a relationship with God is a constant growing process as we get to know him more, so does our friendship grow. From being an infant to Christianity to being mature in the faith we go through obstacles, trials, highs and lows… in the process we learn to trust him in all that we do. as we trust and grow in faith we learn to make room for God or consent to God in our lives by being able to surrender everything to him. one way to surrender is to worship. if we find it hard to worship then maybe its coz we’re not surrendering all….
was i even close to what you were talking about hahah… probably not… anyway, all the best
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Thanks for your reply! I love the interaction. For someone who is confused you totally got what I was trying to say.
just one extra thought that might make things clearer for you is that I tried to use the word “consent” as another way of saying “surrender”.
People, including myself struggle to surrender, to be honest I think we struggle to give consent to another too, but that’s why we need a growing relationship, one that is growing in things like trust.
thanks again for your comments, they’re always welcome!
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I understand exactly what you are saying. So many times on a Sunday morning I have been running late, stressed about the church, or perhaps bickering with the wife. Then all of sudden, I get there, tune up, pray, and expect to be ushered into the holy of hollies. Man, how about showing up with a great amount of awe and wonder. How, about approaching God not on my terms, but His. How about approaching God with reverence, and a repentant heart. How about leaving my pride at the door, humbling myself, and letting God in totally!
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a little confusing,but I’ll chew on this for a while, then re-read it. I think I agree, but I still have to take it all in propperly
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