Holly J Campbell

If you look up the definition of worship ˈwər-shəp   there are several options to study. It comes in the form of a verb, something we do, and a noun, something we give.

As a matter of faith, and some might say religion, worship is a multi-layered thing. Often, people talk about worship as a form of music, or a certain part of a church service, which again, is valid and yet incomplete.

It’s something that I’m studying – not in an entirely academic way, but to learn more about what it means. What is the depth of my understanding of this thing that is thrown around in so many different ways?

I think of worship as a matter of the heart and mind. Going to the Shema, mentioned in multiple places in the Bible – with Jesus stating it in Mark 12:31:

And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.

This is an act of worship. It isn’t just singing a song or praying, or reading His word. It’s all of this and more. What do I put in a place of honor with my time and attention? Where do I set my focus? I won’t perfect anything this side of heaven, but I press on…