Romans 12:1 (NIV)
“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.”

A few months ago, I was listening to worship music in my kitchen when I suddenly felt the urge to dance.

A little background on me, before my accident, I loved dancing. I even taught dance classes and led dance teams. I always thought of myself as a good dancer, and others told me I was a great one. But in that moment, when I felt the urge to dance, I actually said out loud, “No, I don’t dance.”

Then, I was overwhelmed with conviction that brought me to my knees. I remember hearing in my spirit, “Who are you worshiping?!”

I began crying. I thought of all the times I chose not to worship God because I didn’t think I looked good enough. I didn’t think I sounded good enough. I didn’t think anyone would want to see me.

But that’s not the point of worship, is it?

The point of worship is for God to be glorified in everything we do.

As I sat there in that feeling, I remembered something else: worship isn’t only singing or dancing. Worship is found in every area of our life.

I eat healthy food as worship to God.
I move and exercise my body as worship to God.
I show kindness to people who are unkind to me as worship to God.
I keep living, even when I don’t feel like it, because my life isn’t about me. It’s about Him.

Now I try to keep this question at the front of my mind:

Who am I worshiping?

What is guiding my decisions?

If fear is guiding me, then fear is what I’m worshiping.
If pleasure is guiding me, then I’m worshiping myself.
If I refuse to do something God has called me to do because of what someone else might think, then in that moment, they are who I’m worshiping.

My new definition of worship is:

walking by faith, each step reflected in my actions and thoughts.

In every moment of every day, we are choosing who we serve.

Am I going to unhealthily starve myself because I think I need to lose weight faster? That would be worshiping self.
Or am I going to nourish my body and care for it the way God intended? That’s worshiping God.

Am I going to sit in jealousy of the pretty woman next to me?
Or am I going to choose to love the way God created me, because He is a perfect Creator?

Worship is not limited to a Sunday service. It’s not just music or movement.
It’s a life lived in surrender.

Prayer:
Lord, teach me what it means to truly worship You.
Not just with my voice, but with my choices.
Help me surrender the parts of myself that I try to hide or control, and remind me that every breath I take can be an offering to You.
Forgive me for the times I’ve let fear, pride, or the opinions of others become louder than Your voice.
Make my life a reflection of Your grace, and let my every step be guided by the desire to glorify You.
Amen.