We live now in a world filled with so much information that demand our attention every day. Most of them could be unsolicited ones, especially with the increasing use of technology—smartphones and computers—drawing our attention to read news, respond to messages, and review images to name a few. (This is especially true if you are active on social media.)
The ability to stay focused and self-controlled amidst all the potential distractions has become more important than ever. Such a “bombardment” of information had never been experienced by people in the past—before the Internet was born and as popular as it is today.
I remember when I was a teenager (in the early 2000s), I liked reading newspapers and almost every morning I waited with anticipation for a newspaper carrier to deliver it to our house’s front yard. Once I grabbed it, I usually checked soccer news first before reading the headline news or going through the other pages. (Oh no, I usually smelled it first—for some reason I take delight in the smell of newspapers, new magazines, or new books!) 🙂
Anyways, I missed those times but also realized that it’s much easier and convenient today to read/watch news online. This ease and convenience would likely result in (over)dependence and so this is where problems of distractions and temptations arise. It’s more challenging today to do a deep work regularly and consistently due to poor levels of concentration and engagement, which could lead to mental (and even physical) health issues.
What does the Scripture say about this?
“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.” (1 Peter 4:7)
It’s hard to pray when our mind is restless—when we constantly struggle with anxiety and worldly cares, as we are often tempted to compare and to complain. We need to be intentional in choosing to pause to pray—to set aside some time every day to connect with God through prayer, devotion, and worship. Our connection with God means disconnection from the world and it is essential for our well-being.
Worship is a spiritual discipline. There are times we need to choose to worship even if/when we don’t feel like it. In worship, we intentionally choose God over and over again. In worship, we align our will with God’s will. In worship, we allow God to examine our hearts and perform spiritual “surgery” that would make us more pleasing [beautiful] in His sight. In worship, we fulfill God’s call for us to share His holiness.
God’s call for us to worship reflects His goodness and love (mercy and grace). After all, how can a sinful man worship a holy God? Think of how small we are compared to the Almighty—as the Scripture says that heaven is His throne and the earth is His footstool! (Isaiah 66:1).
We can enter God’s presence because we are clothed with His righteousness that comes from Christ Jesus. (If it’s not for Christ’s righteousness, we sinners would have all died in God’s holy presence!)
As we put our faith in Christ, we can come to God as we are—with our weaknesses, weariness, and brokenness. We are even encouraged to come near to [approach] God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
God is holy, yet He does not want to be holy alone (1 Peter 1:15-16). He wants/calls His people to be holy. He has invited us to be the partakers of His holiness and this is only possible through the [redeeming] work of Christ [for us on the cross] and the [sanctifying] work of Spirit [in us, our hearts and minds].
And here’s the best thing about our transformation (from sinners to saints): the more we worship Jesus, the more we will become like Him. This is the goal of our spiritual discipline!
Now, why do we need this spiritual discipline in the first place? It brings us to the second point:
Worship is a spiritual battle. Every warrior must live a life of discipline as it prepares them for a battle. As God’s believers (and Christ’s followers), we have a common enemy: the devil—who wants to steal, kill, and destroy and does not like us to worship [and get closer with] God. This world [those who live with values that are opposed to God’s kingdom] has fallen under the enemy’s influence. Therefore, we must live carefully to seek God and understand His will (Ephesians 5:15-17), so we can stand firm in this battleground.
It is quite interesting the Apostle Peter wrote an advice that sounds very similar to the aforementioned verse:
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
To this warning, we are told to submit to God and resist the devil (James 4:7), to stand firm in the faith and persevere through the suffering (1 Peter 5:9-10), to be strong in the Lord’s mighty power and to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-13).
What is the whole armor of God? If you read the following verses (Ephesians 6:14-18), you’ll realize that God’s armor essentially includes 7 parts (truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the word of God, and prayer in the Spirit). In essence, this divine armor is worship in Spirit and Truth.
Christians, aren’t we lucky [blessed] to have the Word and the Spirit in us [as we put our faith in Christ]?
Imagine what happens with people who do not know Christ and do not have the Spirit! Who will fight the battle for them? You might hear a quote, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” It’s not a bad advice at all.
However, be kind alone is not enough! We need to share the gospel of peace with them. They need to know God’s love is real for them. They need to know there is a true hope in Jesus Christ.
There is power in the name of Jesus—that will bring them healing from their diseases, set them free from their addictions, and give them freedom from their depression [often caused by demonic oppression]!
That is why we are called to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Through worship, we can also intercede for others [to pray for a blessing over someone that God puts/reveals in our hearts]. It is for this same reason that I take the time to write down all these things—so that the world [people from all nations] may know our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the sure, comforting hope we have in His name.
As we worship Jesus (even in the midst of pain and suffering), we declare that He fights for us, we trust that He is on our side [He is with us], we acknowledge His mighty power that works in/through us, and we proclaim the victory that He has won! And this leads us to the third point:
Worship is a spiritual celebration. In worship, we celebrate God’s faithfulness in keeping His promise. In worship, we remember His goodness—all good things that He has done [in the past], He is doing [in the present], and He will do [in the future]. In worship, we acknowledge that God is in control [that He is sovereign] and knows the plans that He has for us [yes, our God is a great Planner!] and works out those plans for our good (Jeremiah 29:11).
In the Old Testament, we can learn from the story of Exodus and from Moses, who was commanded by God: “When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” (Exodus 3:12). What was the first thing that Moses (and the Israelites) did after crossing the sea [after the Lord set them free from the slavery]? They worshipped the Lord—their Rescuer and Deliverer (Exodus 15:1-18).
No wonder that our Sunday gatherings are to be celebrative! We worship Jesus who has saved and delivered us from evil. We are no longer slaves [to sin and death], but have become God’s beloved children and friends through our faith in Christ.
Think about it, Christians: you and I are the children and friends of the King of kings and the Lord of lords!
He is the highest Ruler of the universe—the One who sets the sun, moon, and stars in their places; the One who holds the whole world in His hands; the One who creates every human being uniquely that, among billions of people in this world, no two individuals are identical. He is so far above us yet also so near to us that He knows each and every person intimately. How can we dare to say that our problems are too big for Him? How can we still live with constant fears and worries? How can we not respond to His loving invitation? How can we not come and worship Him in awe and humbleness?
If we believe that “the end of all things is at hand” and realize that our life is like “a mist that appears a little time and then vanishes”, “the grass that withers”, or “the flower that fades”, why don’t we choose to worship and grow deeper in faith in God—the Life Giver?
Remember that we are in a journey of knowing, loving, and obeying Him more each day. Through this journey, we will face attacks or oppositions from the enemy, but they should not stop us from celebrating His love—how He’s been good and faithful in fulfilling His promises and working out His purposes in our lives.
By faith, know that He walks us from victory to victory—from glory to glory. So, as we celebrate God’s love each moment in worship, let us declare/share His goodness to people around us and encourage one another to persevere through suffering, fixing our eyes on the reward, which is God Himself. (The world needs to hear more of this good news!)
Finally, may we live a life worthy of God’s calling (Ephesians 4:1-3) through the Spirit-empowered worship—as a spiritual discipline (for His holiness), a spiritual battle (for His mightiness), and a spiritual celebration (for His faithfulness/goodness)—amidst all the ongoing distractions and temptations in life. May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in Him, so that we can live with overflowing hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13).
This article was written and finalized on June 26–28, 2024 in Delta, BC, Canada.
The featured image was originally designed by the author with images adopted from online resources.
Supplementary readings:
Pearls of Mind 
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