We have looked at what worship is, why we do it, and when to do it (both during the good and bad times), so now I want to look at building a life around it.
A worship centered life
How do we weave worship into our everyday life? Hopefully you will have grasped that worship is not limited to singing and praise, you can do it in all areas of life, not just in church or when things are going well.
In my opinion, a life that worships God begins by putting Him at the very centre [yes, centre not center ; )Â ] and building around that. Ok I get it.. this is a lovely concept and a bunch of words at the minute but of very little help without some practical steps.
Take a second or two to think through this for yourself. How do you practically build a life around God? What does that look like? Have you done it in the past? Does it mean getting up early to pray and read? Before every meal thanking God for the food? I know people that prayerfully consider everything that they buy, should your finances be built into this? For me, it means intentionally placing him in every aspect of my life.
Sports analogy warning
Don’t be treating God like a super sub that you bring onto the pitch when you need him, rather let him play the whole game and always be involved.
I get the fact that its very difficult to go from involving God a little to a lot. It takes time changing your mindset from me to God. This will involve asking God for help as doing it on our own strength will not suffice. It’s also important to understand that it must come from a desire and love rather than the feeling of obligation.
Side story: When I started university I found myself living on my own, cooking my own meals, a lot more work, training for rugby every day and a lot more socializing. Combining all these new factors that were not in my life previously, left me with a full schedule and any time I had previously spent with God was squeezed out. My structured life had gone out the window. Unfortunately, I only realized this when life got tough and I felt very much alone.
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35 NIV
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24 ESV
Take a second to write down the things that take up the most of your time.  Following this, write down the things that you think God wants in your life and that you have him at the center of.  Do you need to restructure your life like I did?  And do some of the things you do need to be dropped in your life so you can have that time with God?
By Stuart Hooks, loving guide and Irishman
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