“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet of the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5
I think that it is very easy in our world to get caught up in what the world thinks about us instead of what God thinks of us-to lose sight of Whose we are, not who we are. The other day I was scrolling through Instagram (for you old folks Instagram is a social media platform, like Facebook or MySpace) and I saw a post that said this, “It makes me sad that I look at the sky and think “woah God is so amazing” but look in the mirror and think “ugh” as if He didn’t make both.”
When you look in the mirror or think of your life, what do you think about? Do you think about how you don’t like your body, characteristic flaws, failures, lack of abilities or talents and/or your general sinful nature? Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Have you ever thought that maybe being wrapped up in your own image is the enemy’s way of inhibiting you from doing God’s will? I certainly have, I think about it all the time. The time wasted thinking about my body, my grades, my failures and my insecurities is time that could be used to further the kingdom of heaven. Now, I know at this point you are probably wondering if I know that this devotion is supposed to be on worship, don’t worry I’m getting there.
Worship is defined as the act of attributing reverent honour and homage to God. Honour means to give high respect and homage means to show respect publicly. If a part of worship is the respect shown publicly to God, then worship can be done through telling others about Jesus, giving, and praying for others, as well as reading our Bibles, singing, praying and dancing.
The big question is, are you fully surrendering yourself to worshiping God by going up to that friend, that co-worker or that stranger? Or, are your insecurities holding you back? Those insecurities are not from God. With insecurities in mind, looking at Mary’s story brings extra astonishment for me. If I were Mary, I would be quite concerned that I don’t have what it takes to mother the Messiah, there is no parent help book for that one. Instead, she sings praises to the Lord in Luke 1:47-55. Her answer was yes Lord, I will put away my insecurities and follow your will. Will you also worship God and surrender your insecurities to him?
Mary’s Song
“And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me-holy in his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
