Created For Delight
by Tricia McCary Rhodes

Have I done anything today to fulfill the purpose for which Thou didst cause me to be born? Give me the grace to answer honestly, oh Lord.

Years ago this question leaped out at me from the pages of a dog-eared devotional book I kept by my bed. I remember even now the weight I felt as I wished I knew the answer. For all the spiritual activity that filled my days, I simply could not say yes with any degree of confidence. I wasn't really sure why God had caused me to be born. Was there some destiny I had yet to fulfill, some mystery of my existence yet to be unveiled?

Today I believe I've learned the answer to this most question. But it has not come easy. My life has been a journey in which God has shaken and stripped and reformed my understanding of why He redeemed me. In the process He transformed my soul.

My heart resonates now with the incredible knowledge that I am created to worship God (Ephesians 1:11-12). That is my highest calling, the very reason He wrote all the days ordained for me in His book before there was yet one of them (Psalm 139:16).

What does it mean to be created to worship? At the end of Romans 11, Paul expounds on the riches of God's wisdom and knowledge, His unsearchable judgments and unfathomable ways. He reminds us that no one can know God's mind or become His counselor, nor do we have anything to really offer. All things are from Him and through Him and to Him. He alone deserves all glory forever.

The oft-quoted beginning of Romans 12 is Paul's response to such an amazing, incomprehensible God. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God"...this is your spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1,emphasis mine). For Paul, worship had to do first and foremost with the greatness of God. So while we may do many works of service, true worship transcends the sum of these isolated acts.

God made us for Himself –that we might be delighted in Him, driven by desire for Him, and captivated by hope of a destiny with Him. When we respond to Him in these ways, we will devote our lives continually and wholeheartedly to Him, and His purposes, with joy. This, I believe, is worship.

Let's explore each of these aspects of worship

Worship Springs from Delight in God

I recently had a conversation with a man next to me on a plane who commented that he was a Christian. When I asked what that meant to him, he talked about good works, ethical business standards, and faithful provision for his family. I listened intently, hoping for an opportunity to respond.

Finally he asked what I saw as the essence of Christianity. I shared eagerly about my relationship with Christ, how for me, that being a Christian means pursuing my greatest joy through intimacy with Him. I explained that this is the reason every one of us exists. Every moment the God of the universe is seeking worshippers who will come to Him to find fulfillment for their soul's deepest desires. Incredulous, the man remarked that he'd been to many churches throughout his life, but he'd never heard anything like what I'd just shared.

It is amazing that God created us to know Him. Over and over again, David's psalms urge us to embrace and experience the love God offers us.

How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them to drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light...Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him (Psalm 36:8, 34:8).

Scripture speaks of the river of God's presence, an awesome power and compelling force that flows from His eternal throne (Revelation 22:1). In a similar vision, the prophet Ezekiel waded into a river that flowed from beneath the threshold of the temple. At first, he found himself in water that was only ankle deep, then up to his knees, and finally deep enough for swimming, but impossible to ford. Ezekiel was promised that the life-giving river would yield a rich harvest of fish, irrigate abundant fruit trees, and bring healing to those downstream (Ezekiel 47:1-12)

To be created to worship means a lifetime of immersion in Christ. As our God, so infinitely greater than our minds can conceive, draws us to Himself, we experience a life "filled with joy inexpressible and full of glory" (1 Peter 1:8).

During the feast of tabernacles, Jesus shouted, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink," (John 7:37). True worship draws us to drink continuously from His well of life. As we rely on it's refreshing streams to quench our spiritual thirst, the taste of Christ's presence becomes a treasure we hold dear.

Years ago as missionaries in the Alaska bush, my husband and I drew our water from an indoor pump. We were city folk, and at first we didn't understand the pump's mechanics. Once a week we poured a cup of water in to prime it, pumped like crazy until water sprung up from underground, and then filled every bucket and pot we could find.

I remember well how an Eskimo neighbor laughed at our system. Then he explained that if we used the pump whenever we needed, it would always stay primed, ready to gush forth with one easy thrust of the handle.

Learning to delight in Jesus is a lot like that. We don't have to work up some glorious state in order to offer a Him a heart of worship. We simply come to Him and drink, moment by moment, day by day.

Worship that springs from delight in Jesus can permeate the details of daily life. Whether driving or doing dishes, presenting business plans or preparing Sunday School lessons, writing term papers or waiting on fussy children, our hearts can reflect on the beauty of our risen Lord and respond. Our worship will flow in spontaneous prayers, smiles of gratitude, acts of kindness, songs on our lips or even wordless adoration. Our joy increases and the heart of God is pleased.

Worship is Driven by Desire for God

When worship springs from delight in Jesus, it cannot help but overflow. The more we know Christ, the greater our desire to make Him known. The more we marvel at His grace, the stronger our yearning to magnify it for others. The deeper we experience intimacy with Jesus, the more we find ourselves living to exalt Him. This is God's plan, the glorious reason He has made us His own, that we might "declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9).

When we are driven by desire for Jesus, every aspect of our life is impacted, from the way we spend our time to the manner in which we manage our finances, from the weighty decisions about our future to the minute details of our days. There are at least three reasons for this.

First, desire for Jesus inevitably alters our views concerning this world's values. Last year a friend who'd recently returned to the Lord shared with me how he struggled to let go of the success he'd found in community theatre. Though he knew it was hindering his walk with God, he felt he was losing something valuable and dear. I remember thinking that if he could only see what he had to gain, he'd run after God with all his might.

My heart rejoiced a few weeks ago, when he told me about a mission trip he'd just taken. He said the joy he experienced on that trip was unlike anything he'd ever known. Not only had the theatre lost its allure, but the appeal of financial security and corporate success were waning as well. His dreams are now formed by a more powerful affection, one that makes what he once saw as loss, appear as rubbish in light of the surpassing value of knowing Jesus (Phil. 3:8).

Second, being driven by desire is the key to God-honoring obedience. Not long ago my teenage son began to resist going to church, because he preferred to spend the time on his computer. I prodded, probed, and manipulated until one day I realized my efforts were actually denigrating the worth of the God we were going to worship.

When our service to God reeks of duty or even joyless discipline, we malign His reputation. We are acting as if His glory is not a sufficient motivation to obey. The Israelites were good at external obedience, but God wanted no part of their works without true worship. ""The multitude of your sacrifices...what are they to me?" says the Lord" "Stop bringing meaningless offerings!"" (Isaiah 1:11,13)

I have since changed the way I talk to my son about spiritual things. For instance, one day I was able to say to him with gentleness, "Son, I know you love that computer, and you can't imagine ever choosing church over that. But I believe that one of these days Jesus is going to show you how amazing He really is. When He does, I won't have to make you go to church, for being with other believers will become the desire of your heart too."

One pastor I know often challenges his congregation with two questions. First, "Are you spending time in God's presence daily?" And second, "Is it duty, or is it romance?" When it is romance, we find ourselves yearning for greater obedience, because we've learned that seeking God's face and following His ways is the path to inner fulfillment. This kind of obedience is worship. It brings pleasure to the heart of God. By our joy we proclaim to the world that we have found Him worthy.

Worship that is driven by desire for Jesus impacts the way we live in a third way: it transforms our view of suffering. After Heather Mercer (one of the two Christian women held hostage by the Taliban) was miraculously released, people were horrified when she spoke of going back to Afghanistan. Why would she want to do such a thing after suffering so?

In one interview, she talked about her worst night of captivity. That night she experienced sights and sounds no human being should ever know. Heather told how she crawled under her bed and simply cried out for Jesus to come and hold her. In that moment -- miraculously, wondrously, tangibly -- the presence of the living Christ enveloped her, comforting her heart with peace and joy. Jesus' incredible promise never to leave or forsake us comes to fruition most keenly when we are desperate. In such moments, He actually enables us to rejoice in our tribulations (Romans 5:2-5).

I have never suffered as Heather Mercer did. Nor have I experienced the cruel torture our brothers and sisters all over the world face daily. But I am learning that the more I desire Jesus, the more He requires of me. This has meant relinquishing everything I am or want, to Him.

Just two nights ago, my tears flowed freely as I cried out "take me Lord, just take me". For many months He has been doing just that--painfully cutting away like a skillful surgeon at the flesh that hinders His purposes in and through me.

Times such as these have become the high points of my journey, precious altars in my soul. I've learned, as Abraham did, to lay my Isaacs down. In the painful letting go, He has come to me the most profoundly, not in words or visions or even the lofty grandeur of glory, but quietly holding my heart, gently wooing me with a promise of morning joy after the weeping of my dark nights.

I know with every part of my being that Jesus is worthy. Just one touch of His hand turns every tear and trial into incomparable treasure.

Worship Hopes in my Destiny with God

A few weeks ago, in the hills of Bangladesh, I sat under a tree, surrounded by villagers. I'd traveled 24 hours by plane, six by train, two by car and finally 20 minutes on foot to reach this corner of the earth where many had never heard of Jesus.

It was my second day and my translator had taken ill. I was left to fend for myself among people with whom I had no way to communicate. As I sat and waited while my translator rested in a nearby hut, word spread. The curious came – children, teenagers, men, women ...intrigued and content to sit and stare at the white woman who had nothing to say.

Between smiling at their faces, and taking in the tropical terrain, I quiely asked the Lord what in the world I was doing there. I thought about all the money, time, training, planning and prayer that had been invested in this trip for the purpose of sharing the gospel. Now I had the perfect opportunity, but no means.

The afternoon sun slowly crept by; I passed the time singing praise songs softly under my breath, speaking words of Jesus' worth over this land held hostage by centuries of idolatry. Deep joy began to flood my soul, and my heart soared to another scene.

In my mind's eye, I saw not only this tribe, but all the peoples of the earth joining in colossal chorus to adore the Lamb upon His throne. The Psalmist exclaimed, "All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord and all the families of the nations will worship before you (Psalm 22:27)." Tears filled my eyes as I savored a tiny taste of that glorious moment what will be the destiny of all believers throughout history.

Sitting in a far off land that afternoon, I was reminded that I am created to worship God. Every spiritual activity on the earth is simply a precursor to an eternity of joy beyond description. True worshippers are captivated by the reality that we are destined to one day meet Him face to face and be with Him forever.

Two things ring true for me as I look over the landscape of my life as a worshipper: that it has cost far more than I ever dreamed, and that I have gained something far greater than I ever imagined.

I know now in my waking and sleeping, my planning and dreaming, my working and waiting, that worship is what I was born for. Jesus is the destiny that will drive my days until that moment when I too bow before Him and cry,

Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise! (Revelation 5:12)

(Originally published in Discipleship Journal, Issue 132, Nov/Dec,2002)

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