Worship Over Worry

Worship Over Worry
by Lauren Hogan

In a season of uncertainty and worry, we have one thing for certain — our relationship with Jesus Christ. The pandemic forced all of us to take a step back, push the pause button, and focus on what is really important. Our calendars became non-existent and working from home became the new normal. I don’t know about you, but I am grateful for this time. You see, I’m a busybody – I thrive when I have the most on my plate. Yet, growing up I was taught that Sundays were the Lord’s days and you dedicate those days to Him. During quarantine, we did just that. My family would gather on the couch, typically with our nicer PJs, and we would flip around to listen to a minimum of four sermons. Virtually we attended different churches in Kentucky and one in Georgia. This isn’t our normal Sunday game plan, but what is normal anymore?

Time felt like it stopped. We were worshiping our Savior from our couch instead of a pew. I found myself stopping to listen to my parents sing, and found us holding hands during prayer. We took communion in our kitchen with saltine crackers and grape juice. That alone will take away the worry.

Our world is in disarray, but our home and love for Christ is not. We chose to Worship over Worry. Faith over Fear. I was a three-year state winner in Bible Drills, meaning I was quick on my toes with books of the Bible and memorization of verses. Philippians 4:6-7 was one of those verses, and in some of my most trying times, and during COVID, it held true.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Worship. Man, what I would give for some live music. The kind that gives you cold chills and makes you belt out the lyrics. A few years ago, after a hard breakup, I made the decision to devote 30 minutes every morning on my daily commute to worship music. That sounds like a minuscule goal, but it truly transformed my outlook on the day. During the shutdown, my 30 minutes transformed into my entire morning. The Spotify ‘Sang on Sunday’ playlists is on repeat. In a weird way, I am spiritually feeding myself. Growing and trusting in His plan, not mine. That’s the key takeaway.

Don’t get me wrong, during the last couple of months I feel like the devil is working overtime in our lives. As Christians we cannot waiver, we need to turn to the word — as Jeremiah 29:11-13 says:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

I challenge you to not worry. Choose to worship the True King.