Living Worship.

Our purpose on this Earth is to worship the one and only living God.
That is our one and only mission, the very thing we were created to do, our single goal.
Not retiring with a cushioned nest egg. Not having a family. Not climbing the corporate ladder. Not seeing the world.
That is not what this life is about.
The absolute only thing we are to do in this life is worship God.
It stands to reason then that every single thing we do should be act of worship.
Every action that we make should be with the intent of worship.
What was your intent when you got up and went to work this morning?
What was your purpose when you cooked dinner for your family this evening?
What was your goal when you took out the trash?
They seem like such little things, things that have no real consequence, the mundane.
But how much more could they mean when done with purpose of worshipping God?
If you get up and go to work or cook and clean as an act of gratitude to God for giving you your job and food and a home, or with the goal of providing for and caring for your family in the same way that God provides for and cares for us?
When you begin to look at every choice and every action as a chance to worship God, no longer are those things mundane or a waste of time but they are the very thing that you were created to do.
In the same mindset...
What was your intent when you watched Netflix for hours tonight?
What was your purpose when you ate all that ice cream or chips?
What was your goal when you cut someone off in traffic?
We must get in the habit of asking ourselves before every action- How does this worship God?
There can be times when watching Netflix could be pleasing to God.
There is a time for resting and relaxing to take care of the bodies God has given us. God has given us the ability to enjoy TV shows and there is nothing wrong with that. When our motives are correct.
Living a life of worship isn't necessarily about WHAT you do, it's WHY and HOW you do it.
Someone who's day is spent going to work, commuting home and then doing the dishes could have worshipped God far more than someone who spent their day at church, singing and then serving in the local homeless shelter, if the first was doing each action with the intent of honoring God while the latter went through the motions or did it for selfish gain.
Don't get caught up thinking that the "boring" things in your life are insignificant or that you aren't doing anything for God when all you do is go to school or work- you have every opportunity to live your life as an act of worship.
I challenge you to begin asking yourself "How does this honor God?" as you go about your daily life. Not only will you begin to see how important the little things are, but it'll be easier to see which things in your life really aren't important.

Colossians 3:23New King James Version (NKJV)

23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

Ephesians 6:7New King James Version (NKJV)

7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,

Every woman's wish.

"I wish I was tall, I wish I was fast
Wish I could shop with a bag full of cash
'Cause if I want you, I gotta have that
I wish I had style, I wish I had flash
Wish I woke up with a butt and a rack
'Cause if I want you, I gotta have that"
     These are the lyrics to a song that came on my pandora today, and the more I thought about this catchy song, the more it bothered me. The speaker in this song wants to change everything about herself in order to gain the attention and affection of the guy she wants and I think that's really sad. 
     I see it often though, women who would rather change themselves to be viewed as more attractive by someone rather than wait for the one who will find them beautiful just the way they are. I think a guy who genuinely cares about me and appreciates for who I am is far more attractive than someone who doesn't even notice me. 
   But then again, I can say that so easily and yet how often to I find myself thinking, "If only I was skinnier..." "If only I was prettier...." "If I dressed better...." "If I wasn't so weird...then maybe someone would like me."  
    Why should I or would I want to be with someone who only liked me because of my appearance? Or who I had to hide my true self from? 
     Someday, I want to be with a man of God, and a true man of God won't be looking for a girl with a small stomach but a girl with a big heart who is earnestly seeking after God. So instead of worrying about what I wear or how I look, I need to be thinking about how I act and what I say. 
    
     Another point though- my life isn't meant to be lived to attract the perfect guy, man of God or not. I am already loved, treasured, and adored by someone. That someone is the creator of the universe and my life is meant to be lived as an act of service and worship to Him.

     So here is a reminder to me, and to any other girl out there- one day, someone is going to come along who thinks that your quirks are amazing, who knows your worth isn't decided by what you weigh and who will pursue you wholeheartedly. Or maybe it won't happen. But your worth isn't define by how many men want you, its defined by the fact that God loves you more than any man ever could and made you just the way you are.
     
     Psalm 139:14 "I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made..."