Day 13: Worship That Pleases God

God wants all of you.

Existential philosophy was once my solace in finding or not finding meaning in this world, as I depart from what I have grown to perceived as shallow and pretentious public worship. During those times I retracted from increasing my faith by not going to church anymore and by drawing back from the rituals I have grown accustomed to. I used to believe that I still believe in God, but slowly I was diverting away thinking beyond good and evil and resting entirely on human capacities. Swear, it was very hard to digest. Until now, I am not quite sure if I have understood everything well. I shrinked to my solitary self, worshipping a God I created and I chose to believe and not to believe some times. Such worship, private and intimate is more revealing and intense than that one in a congregation. I believed such a flock is nothing more but a pretentious sham. They would venerate their God, try to please Him and to look sorrowful before Him. But once they think they already had his forgiveness, they are back to their own true selves-misgiving, disparaging and conceited. The whole process of worshipping him is totally pointless. That was the reason why I went out of church, little did I know that slowly I have also slipped away from his grasp. What I did not recognize is that whether worship is public or private, it does not really matter. What counts is the intent of the heart at that moment when one worship God. At that moment, he doesn't need an opinion about how others do their own, what he needs is the total submission of the self-that one be on focus solely upon Him. A pure and authentic worship I believe is that one that emanates from the innermost part of a being, accepting his frailty and weaknesses and His need of God. And it is also doctrinal, based on what is written in the Scriptures. Truly, it's both the heart and the head that works in worshipping God. But I still have to contend with traditions that have incessantly become a routine, pure in form but void of substance.

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A worship that pleases God is one which is authentic, hence intentional, the energy genuinely flows from one's spirit and is revealed by sincere emotion to connect with God's; is thoughtful, the mind is at work uttering the words forming phrases that are spontaneous yet true and overcoming sheer cliches; and is practical, it's about giving what one has and not what one can give when he becomes somebody, and it's about sacrifice which may be in forms of thanksgiving, praise, humility, repentance, offerings of money, prayer serving others, and sharing with those in need.