Let’s take a look at Romans chapter 12 and see a definition of worship. It’s so much more than singing. It’s not bound to a place or time. Worship is a life lived with God in view and a heart that desires His nearness more than anything else. It is a consistent pattern of praise that permeates every part of our lives. Worship is a part of our DNA, meaning we are most at home when we are worshipping. Paul says in Romans 12.1-2, “With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.” (Phillips Translation) 
What is worship? “Eyes wide open to the mercies of God.” It’s the life that’s aware of all God is doing and wants to do in and through us. It’s a “living sacrifice.” There is no sacrifice if the altar is empty. Worship is us putting our lives on the altar of obedience, trusting God to gently use us and lead us forward. Worship is “letting God re-mold our minds.” It’s the transformation that God accomplishes when we give all of ourselves to Him. Worship is the “practice of the plan of God.” It’s walking out God’s intentions for our lives with the confidence that can only come from meeting intimately with Him. It’s the content life that isn’t always working for more and is thankful for the blessings it has. It’s able to be with God and not be overwhelmed with guilt and shame because of all the things left undone or unsaid. Worship “moves us toward the goal of true maturity.” It is what we were made to do and when we do it, we grow. 

Let’s look at worship this way. Many times we find ourselves wondering what God’s plan is for our lives. We look at our lives from every angle and find ourselves coming up empty handed. “Maybe this is right? Or maybe this is the direction we need to move?” We lack confidence because we lack worship. If you want to know God’s good, pleasing and perfect will for your life, begin a regular practice of worshipping God. You want to know God’s will for your family? Lead them to worship God. You lack direction in your church? Lead them to worship God. The will of God is not something secret He hides from us. He never camouflages Himself or tries to frustrate us with His will. But He tells us if we want to seek Him, we will find Him in worship. 
The goal of worship is transformation. We see this in every worshipper in the Word. God is shaping us for His presence for eternity. He could do this by force, but He’s chosen another way. He asks us to submit our lives to Him, not out of obligation or responsibility, but in love. He asks us to join Him in the work of the Kingdom. We can attempt the work all day long, but if we do it with any other attitude than worship, our efforts are fruitless and our joy is empty. You want a new heart? Bend your heart in worship. You have sin in your life you can’t get rid of? Submit to God in worship and experience Him as He deals with your deep sin. Walking out a pattern of worship in our lives puts us in a position to have our eyes and ears opened, our hearts cleaned, our confidence restored and our lives renewed. We need to worship!
Singing is good. It readies us to meet with God and even gives us a glimpse into the throne room. But worship must move beyond song. We must begin to adopt a posture of worship: hearts bent, wills submitted, lips slow to speak, ears quick to listen, feet ready to respond, hands ready to serve…all willing to obey God as He leads us. 
Will you worship Him today?