Going Through the Motions
"And while they were going, they were healed.
"But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God. He fell facedown at His feet, thanking Him. And he was a Samaritan.
"Then Jesus said, 'Were not 10 cleansed? Where are the nine? Didn’t any return to give glory to God except this foreigner?'" –Luke 17:14b-18
I recently met a girl. She had just moved to Kennesaw, Georgia, from Nashville, Tennessee. A friend wanted me to introduce her to the new city. We met and hung out for several nights. While talking on the phone one day, she said, “I am embarrassed to say that I am 25 years old and don’t really understand Jesus and the Bible.” We talked a little and I invited her to a Bible Study the next evening.
Never having been to a Bible study, she was quite nervous. As the worship band started and everyone stood, she grabbed my shoulder and said, “What are we doing?” I told her we were worshiping God. “What does that mean?” she asked. I told her that we were singing to God, thanking and praising Him for saving our lives, and for all that He has done for us. She turned to me and said, “If these people are singing to God because He saved them from death, then why aren’t they excited?” As I looked around, she was right. People were just going through the motions, even text messaging and talking to each other. Are we like that when we worship?
1. Do you just go through the motions of worship?
2. If someone walked into the room when you were worshiping God, would they be convinced that you really are thankful and passionate about Jesus saving your life?
Joshua 22:27; 1 Chronicles 16:23-36
Lord Jesus, thank You for giving Your life for me. Please forgive the times I have just gone through the motions. I am passionate about Your love and want others to see it in my life. Amen.
