Not too long ago, I was catching up with a friend when the topic of worship came up. As I shared with her my slow growth in learning about and understanding the topic, she spoke a few words that sparked a Spirit-inspired idea.

“I’m like a two-seat worshiper!”

A two-seat worshiper? The phrase led me to question how I worship, if it is limited to a small space of my life or if it overflows into “two seats,” and on.

The next three pieces of advice put together what I’ve learned over the last few weeks of reflection.

1. Surrender Sight

As someone who can easily become consumed with concern of  those around me, I have learned the importance of simply closing my eyes during worship. It is more than just looking around at other people. When my eyes wander, my mind follows suit, running wild with distractions. “That person just got on their knees. Should I be on my knees?” “She just raised her hand. I should raise my hand too.”

Constantly concerning yourself with what everyone else around you is doing, looks like, and what they think of you creates a rift of separation from the Lord when He’s inviting you to draw closer to Him and truly seek His face. It doesn’t matter what anyone else is doing – if they are jumping, clapping, on their knees, shouting, crying, etc. Worship however you feel led to worship. That is your time to draw near to Jesus. Don’t turn your face from Him so that the world can perceive you a certain way.

I challenge you, the next time you’re in worship and the enemy is trying to keep you from focusing on your Heavenly Father, cry out to the Lord. “Lord, fix my eyes only on You. Show me Your face. Let me see only You right now.” Present yourself humbly before the Lord and He will align your heart with His.

This idea extends outside of simply worshiping at church. Distractions present themselves daily before us.

Matthew 14:22-33 shares the familiar testimony of Jesus walking on water. We all know the story of how Peter joins Jesus on the water, takes his eyes off Him, and begins to sink. Verses 31-33 (NIV) state,

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

When I read the words of Jesus here, I read His “why did you doubt?” as a question with such ache. Jesus was right there with Peter the entire time. Peter could literally see Jesus in front of him, why did he doubt? Because he took his eyes off the Lord.

Keep your eyes fixed on the Lord.

The second part of these verses shares that when Peter and Jesus climbed back into the boat, Peter and all the witnesses worshiped Jesus. Peter could have easily let his doubt and failure discourage him and cause him to give up, quit, or walk away. But knowing that he had failed, he allowed Jesus to rescue him from his doubt, and so he worshiped Jesus!

Do not let the evil of doubt keep you from worshiping! Dance harder, sing louder, praise Him even more! But most importantly, look to Jesus. Keep your eyes on Him.

Surrender your sight to Him.

2. Surrender Speech

The way you speak is worship. Your words are worship.

Being a “two-seat worshiper” is more than just how you move or raise your hands. It means using your voice to glorify God in more than just song. It means glorifying God with your words after the service and throughout your week – at home, at work, around your friends, etc. He is concerned with your heart. You can kneel at the altar for hours on Sunday night, but if the way you speak throughout the week doesn’t reflect Jesus, your heart of worship has fallen short.

Paul writes in Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Paul does not write, “whatever you do at church in word or deed” or “whatever you do around other believers in word or deed.” Paul does write, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Let all your words and actions, at and away from church, be in the name of Jesus, bringing glory to God.

Verse 15 of Hebrews 13 compliments this point, telling us, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.”

Again, note that the author does not mention only professing His name in situations where it may be easy. Instead, the author describes praise as a sacrifice. Sacrifices are difficult. In sacrifices, something of great value is surrendered to God. Meaning, surrender the control of saying whatever you want to, and start saying what the Spirit wants you to, which is the profession of Jesus as your Lord and God as your Father!

3. Surrender Self

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1)

Lastly, in addition to our words and actions, Paul urges us in Romans to surrender our whole selves as worship to God. He created you. He knows each hair, freckle, and heartbeat.

It’s time to lay down your pride and position. Worship is not about you! Surrender to Him who created you and knows you better than you know yourself.

Worship is more than singing a song in church. It is more than standing at your seat.

Your words are worship. Your actions are worship. Your perspective is worship. The way you treat your family, how you spend your money, even your breath is worship. All of these things, your entire being, is a reflection of God. None of it is about you. It’s about Him.

Stop standing still in your worship to God. Move. Be a two seat worshiper. Be a whole row worshiper. Take up the whole world in your worship to God!

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. (Psalm 95:6)

Liz Tatton