What Keeps Us From Worship
Tom Chapin
Little Rock, AR
12/17/97
What Keeps Us From Worship?
From years ago, I remember this quote from a sermon:
All too frequently we let the slightest little thing keep us from worship The preacher was commenting on those who let little things keep them from attending an assembly. I wonder if the same statement might have as much applicability to us who do attend. What are the factors that keep us from worshiping?
These three things certainly would:
• No thought of worship,
• No heart to worship
• No will to worship.
Our worship is hindered, if not stopped completely, when any of these factors is present. We need not focus on anyone else’s failures on these points; our own are glaring enough. Because of that we must cultivate the mind that longs to worship God. We must tear down the barriers that keep us from openly expressing the feelings of our heart in a worship response. And we must exercise our will to worship even in the times when we're looking for an excuse to do otherwise.
Charles Wesley began one hymn poem with the thought,
O for a heart to praise my God. Give us that heart, Lord.
—
Tom Chapin
Little Rock, AR