worship outside the walls ... WOW!

"... and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship ..." (Jn. 4:20).

One thing we are reminded of every day in South Asia is that we are created for worship. We have this innate desire to connect with God even when we don't know who He is, or how to communicate with Him. Every morning on the roof of an apartment building next to ours, a lady prays to a plant. All around us neighbors are performing elaborate rituals before their favorite idol nearly every day. On the streets people are bowing down by the side of the road before a temple statue or shrine. These people are a worshipping people! We know of a man who spends 3 hours every day in worship before his house god! I don't know about you, but that puts my quiet time to shame! People here spend huge chunks of their time, energy and resources giving glory to their god. While most in the western church give little time, energy or resources to the one true living God. God is seeking true worshippers, He desires authentic worship (Jn. 4:23). Worship is not about a certain place or religion, it is about a real relationship with the living God.

"You worship what you do not know..." (Jn. 4:22).

One of our colleagues in South Asia taught us a great truth about evangelism. God is having a conversation with people, even people who do not yet know Him (Ro. 1:20-25). God is speaking through His creation, through circumstances and other people in their lives. They are trying to understand, but unfortunately they worship created things instead of the Creator (Ro. 1:25). I believe many are sincerely looking for God. But there is no one to introduce them to the one true living God (Ro. 10:14). As we are going, we can enter into their lives and join in the conversation, picking up where God left off. If we have a transparent life walking in the light with nothing to hide, they will let us in on the conversation. We may not reach the conclusion and see them receive the Lord, but we can play a part in moving them closer to knowing God. Worship is not about a certain code of behavior or ritual, it is about an honest conversation with the living God and others.

"In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, "Teacher, eat!" ... Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work" (Jn. 4:31, 34).

I don't know about you, but it takes a lot of pressure off when I am reminded that this is HIS work. I don't need to fret about my schedule or plans as long as I am worshipping God for real. He will let me in on what the real agenda is, His agenda. His will becomes quite obvious and all that is left for me is obedience. If we love Him, we obey Him. We are more than servants, we are His friends. A servant does not know what His master is doing, but as friends God makes His plans known to us (see Jn. 15:9-16). Worship is not about following a certain program, it is about doing God's will (Ro.12:1, 2).

If we experience authentic worship on a daily basis, no place, ritual or program will contain it. We will worship outside the walls (both spiritual and physical), and people will say, "WOW! So that is what I am looking for!"