Worship Opportunities

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Romans 12:1

High school holds many significant, life-shaping experiences in my mind. While most of the academic aspects have long faded, one phrase a teacher used chiseled its way into my memory and is something I exercise not only on a math page, but in real life.

It all started in tenth grade, when my Algebra 2 teacher explained that a certain phrase was banned from her class. It might be something that will make you cringe. 

The phrase she refused to use is this: “WORD PROBLEMS.” 

What does that phrase do to you? Does it make you groan? Does it excite you?

We learned how to solve equations, but then came those dreaded real-life questions where we had to apply the math concepts we’d been taught.

Being the brilliant teacher that she was, and recognizing this English/math collision paired with the word “problems” could prompt some students to wave the white flag of surrender, she called these math applications WORD OPPORTUNITIES.

Doesn’t that change your perspective? I don’t like problems, but I love being given an opportunity!

As you advanced in math levels, the applications built. The problems opportunities became more complicated. You realized some of the questions brought confusion and difficulty. 

Though I eventually threw in the towel on my math-mastery ladder-climbing, my Algebra 2 teacher launched me into life with a more profound application. Her WORD PROBLEMS OPPORTUNITIES compelled me of late to consider how every circumstance (good or bad, simple or challenging, joyful or sorrowful, loss or gain) in life is truly my WORSHIP OPPORTUNITY. 

But what exactly is worship? Who are we to worship? Why? And how? Paul gives answers to these questions in his letter to the church at Rome. In the first 11 chapters of this New Testament book, Paul reminds his audience of some “textbook truths.” 

• who God is (Romans 1:20)
• who man is (Romans 1:21-32, Romans 3:23)
• the the vertical problems caused in the relationship God intends for man (Romans 3:9-18)
• God’s remedy for it (Romans 5:6-8)
• what His Son has accomplished (Romans 3:24-26, 5:11)
• the Holy Spirit’s role (Romans 8:26-27) 
• the tight grip of God’s love (Romans 8:38-39)
• the importance of belief (Romans 10:9-10)

In chapter 12, there is a shift from foundational Christian truths to their implications for everyday living for the church at Rome. Paul hadn’t yet traveled there, but he knew there was conflict between the Jewish and the Gentile Christians, not only in Rome but also in some of the other early churches.

The second half of the book teaches important ways to live worshipfully not only as an individual, but collectively with one another.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.

Romans 12:1

Paul is saying, because of God’s merciful work in your life and what you know to be true, it’s time to apply it! It’s time to live worshipfully! Worship, therefore, is a heart transformed by the truths of who God is and what He’s done, overflowing to a transformed life! It involves living (we are living, breathing human beings) and it involves sacrifice: dying to self, and living for the One we were created to worship!

The applications…the worship opportunities… are endless in our individual lives and in the local church body! 

Most of what I write here pertains to my personal worship opportunities, but some of it also pertains to life within the church body.

My prayer is that we would consider every breath we take as being wholly for God…that no matter what life circumstances we are in, we would say with joy, “THIS is my worship opportunity!”