Over the years, I have participated in a number of worship conferences and small group discussions.  Any discussion about worship usually starts with, “What is worship?” Often, the conversation starts with the English roots for the word worship. The root of the old English word “Woerthscipe,” means that we ascribe worth to something that is meaningful. In the context of worship, we decide that God is worthy; we may sing, “He is worthy of all glory, honor and praise.” The Hebrew language of the Old Testament uses a word that is transliterated as “shachah.” In Psalm 95:6 it says, “Come let us worship (shachah) and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.”  The idea of bowing and kneeling carries a sense of reverence, respect and maybe even fear.” In John 2:24, the gospel writer says, “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.” In this verse, the Greek word, “prosskuneo” carries the respect of bowing, but it comes from a word meaning “to kiss” ––as in kissing the hand of the one respected. There is intimacy and closeness as well as respect. One writer, Don McMinn says it this way, “Worship is the expression of a love relationship; it is marked by intimacy and closeness.” Understanding biblical expectations is helpful. But with this starting place, we think we choose. 

Over the course of time, other authors and artists have questioned the logic of starting a discussion with the old English word. If God is our ultimate source for life, He is the creator and sustainer of all things. Using the old words to start our discussion feels anemic at best. Who are we–as the created being, to decide IF God, our creator, is worthy?! In our simple human understanding, that is what we do. But frankly, God is worthy of all Glory, Honor and Praise regardless of what we think. Our relationship starts with God. He created us to have fellowship with him. As written in the Westminster Confession of faith, “The chief end of man is to know God and enjoy him forever.”  God is always the initiator; worship always starts with Him. He reveals something about Himself to us. As we become aware and understand what God is showing us, then we respond. This is part of an intimate relationship. Our response, whether thoughtful, emotional, physical or transforming is the response of worship. It is what we were created to do! I think of it as a work in progress because it is a continual process that is hopefully transforming mind, body and soul.