The Heart of Worship

In his book, The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren writes, “The heart of worship is surrender.” He suggests that the idea of surrender is both unpopular as well as disliked. We are taught NOT to surrender. Never give up. Never give in. Fight to the bitter end.

Yet in our relationship with God we are taught to surrender. To yield our will to His Word. To give up our selfish desires for His purpose. Paul says in Romans 6:13, “Give yourselves to God…Surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes.” (TEV)

True worship happens when we give ourselves completely to Him. We sometimes talk about the “offering” when discussing the contribution. It is the surrender of our money to Him. But all of worship is an offering—of our time, talents, and praise. But in reality God doesn’t want our money or our time. He want us. It is the offering of self. Of yielding our spirit to His Spirit. It is “none of self and all of thee.” It is the heart of our worship.

—Ken Weliever, The Preacherman