So what happens when God reveals himself to us and we see ourselves as we really are? Isaiah experienced two things that each one of us can experience when we worship. The first thing he experienced was transformation. Reading on in the text, the Bible says, “Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, ‘See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven’” (Isaiah 6:8-7, NLT).
At that precise moment Isaiah’s life was changed. Worship should be a transforming experience. How can you see the God of the universe and not be changed? I believe there is a big difference between genuine worship and church attendance. One of the ways we can tell the difference is in what I call “the parking lot test.” If you walk out of a corporate worship experience no different than when you walked in, then one of two things are true: either you’ve not met God in worship or you’re in disobedience; unwilling to respond to the God who has revealed himself and yourself to you. But if you leave your place of worship having responded to God’s self disclosure, then you’re in business. The responsibility is on you. Worship leadership is about creating opportunities and environments where you can encounter the living God. Whether you worship or not is up to you because only you can see God for you and only you can respond to God for you.
God not only transforms our lives in worship, He also invites us to participate in his Kingdom mission.
“Then I heard the Lord asking, ‘Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?’ I said, “Here I am. Send me.’ And he said, ‘Yes, go, and say to this people, Listen carefully, but do not understand. Watch closely, but learn nothing. Harden the hearts of these people. Plug their ears and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their hearts and turn to me for healing’” (Isaiah 6:8-10, NLT).
Worship is about more than, “now go keep your lips clean.” It’s also an invitation to go and tell others what God is really like. God gave Isaiah a specific message for the people of that day. What is God saying to you that he wants to say through you?
If you’re looking for a definition of worship I would say that worship is my appropriate response to the revelation of God. When we worship we will experience transformation and receive God’s invitation to participate in his Kingdom work. So keep your heart open. Be pliable and teachable. Respond to what God discloses and allow him to change your life. Then go be a part of his Kingdom mission.
