Priorities

There are times, such as this morning, when I ask myself some penetrating and at times, troubling questions. One such question is “do our priorities as a church match God’s priorities for us, either corporately or individually?”

First, we must identify God’s priorities for His people. What is His chief aim for us? The authors of the Westminster Confession, noting the revelation of John as their inspiration, said that man’s chief aim is to worship God and enjoy Him forever. Is worship the highest priority after which we seek? It seems to be the priority of God for in the words of Jesus, “the Father seeketh such to worship Him, those who worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23).

Is worship our highest priority? Are we seeking to develop worshippers? Are we ourselves authentic worshippers? One could easily argue that the church seeks talent, growth, and excellence. No one would deny that the church seeks spiritual demonstration, gift manifestation, and unity amidst diversity. Clearly the church seeks cultural creativity, social appeal, and generational relevance. But do any of these rise to the place of being called a Divine Priority?

The Father is seeking worshippers! Are we? Paul said that true worship entailed the giving of our whole selves to Him as a sacrifice and Abraham said that the laying down of Isaac was an act of genuine worship. Worship is not about creating a feeling that stirs our emotions to clap or lift our hands, shout, dance, or express our spirituality in ways that ensure that we are seen by others. Rather, worship occurs when we become profoundly aware of God’s perfect holiness, majesty, and power and at the same time cognizant of our weak, frail, and carnal selves. With both pictures before us, we humbly recognize that to have an audience with God at all, should evoke from us a complete surrender and willingness to lay our Isaacs, our desires, and ambitions, our entire selves at His wounded feet and without hesitation declare, Thou are worthy! Worshippers are the priority of the Father. Are we seeking worshippers and longing ourselves to become what the Father seeks?