God's revelation... unmasks our illusions about ourselves. It exposes our pride, our individualism, our self-centeredness - in short, our sin. But worship also offers forgiveness, healing, transformation, motivation, and courage to work in the world for God's justice and peace - in short, salvation in its largest sense.
Marva DawnWorship ought not to be construed in a utilitarian way. Its purpose is not to gain numbers nor for our church to be seen as successful. Rather, the entire reason for our worship is that God deserves it. (Worship) immerses us in the regal splendor of the King of the cosmosโฆprovides opportunities for us to enjoy Godโs presence in corporate ways that takes us out of time and into the eternal purposes of Godโs kingdom. As a result, we shall be changedโbut not because of anything we do. God, on whom we are centered and to whom we submit, will transform us by his Revelation of himself.
Marva DawnEvery other religion gives you directions on how to find God, but Jesus takes you to Him.
Marva DawnIf the Christ we follow sent out his disciples with no extra possessions (Luke 9:1-6 and 10:1-12) and warned would-be devotees that he had nowhere to lay his head (see Luke 9:57-62), then we must recognize that it is extremely difficult to live in a Christian way in a consumer culture.
Marva DawnThis sense of being made in God's image calls us all constantly to look for it in others and to do what we can to help them acknowledge it and to realize it by joining in worship. We thereby carry to others the answer to their inmost longing, a yearning for union with the Trinity, a thirst to respond with adoration to the God who made them.
Marva DawnIf believers worship with gladness and passion, anyone not yet a part of the community certainly will be attracted to the One who is the object of their worship.
Marva DawnIn a time of infirmity, the illness IS one's work. Taking care of all the disciplines that our health problems require IS the other part of the small daily fidelity to which we are called, beside the faithfulness of being attentive to God. We can be well simply by our diligence in being who we are at the moment.
Marva Dawn