True and Proper

​I

 want to worship the Lord. In considering this I realize that it is more enjoyable (immediately) for me to worship through song than it is through self-denial. Obviously

. ​So I tend to sing a lot. Which is fine. But...

But I've been realizing something. We can't pick and choose our form of worship any more than we can pick and choose what we want to believe in scripture. 

Speaking of scripture ...what is written in The Word regarding our "spiritual act of worship" ? 

'In view of God's mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship.' Romans 12:1 NIV

I think those added descriptors, true and proper, are there because we do a lot of false worship. At least I do. Things I dream up, things I think are important, things I just like to do. They are worship-y, but are they always worship? 

Sometimes I am being tempted and I think, "I'm being tempted. I need to praise. I need to worship." So I start singing. Well, maybe I needed to worship by not putting the 11th spoonful of cookie dough in my mouth. Maybe I need to wash a load of clothes. Maybe I need to make a phone call I don't want to make. 

Offer your bodies...

When I offer my body as a sacrifice, doing what he wants me to do with it rather than what I want to do with it--this is the highest form of praise. True and proper.

I've heard it said, obedience is God's love language. Makes sense. It's how he knows we truly praise him--when we have faith enough to obey.

Give me faith Lord, for true and proper worship.