All preparation leads to some kind of result. What’s the purpose of preparing if we never do anything? Whether it’s getting ready for that special birthday party, or the athletic event, or that exam, or that worship service. I want it to be all it was meant to be.

One of the unique things about preparing for the worship service is to reorient our minds. We need to be prepared to give as much if not more than to receive. In a culture with the persistent theme of, “What’s in it for me?” we have to focus on the object and glory of our worship; namely Jesus himself. I worship God because he alone is worthy of all praise. This triune God has made himself known and has saved us through the death and resurrection of his Son. I must come to worship him.

Here’s a hyperbole for you: if we come to worship having not prepared at all we will not be prepared to live a life of worship throughout the week. Yes, that’s somewhat extreme, but is it not that important?

To truly worship God is to make him our focus and praise in thought, word, and deed. Experiencing that corporately with God’s family should propel us to live out our worship. It’s worth the preparation! God’s being and love is worth the preparation. The Psalms are filled with the effects of a heart that prepares to worship our God.

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand” (Psalm 95:6 and 7).

Tenth Highlight

A rich opportunity for Tenth is to provide a place for people to prepare for ministry. Each year we have a number of interns who assist in particular ministries and the worship service as well. Please pray for them and encourage them. This is an exciting but important season for them in preparing for a life of ministry. Pray for us as a staff, too, that we would love and train them well.

© 2024 Tenth Presbyterian Church.

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Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: By Jerry McFarland. © 2024 Tenth Presbyterian Church. Website: tenth.org