We become what we behold

There is something about worship. Especially when it is led by someone like Chris Tomlin, who often leads me in worship in my morning Quiet Time. More on that later.

There is something about looking at God that makes us godlier. There is something about basking in His love that makes us more loving. There is something about thinking about his grace that makes us more gracious. There is something about worship.

On that day we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. There is something about seeing Him. There is something about worship.

It is true on a human level. Consider the following research:

A study published in the March 2006 issue of "Personality and Individual Differences" may have the answer. Twenty-two people, divided equally between male and female, participated in the study. They were asked to judge the looks, personalities and ages of 160 married couples. The participants viewed photographs of men and women separately and were not told who was married to whom. The subjects consistently judged people who were married as being similar in appearance and personality. The researchers also found that couples who had been together longer appeared more similar.[1]

If a man will come to look like his bride by staring at her over the years, how much more will the bride of Christ come to look like Christ by beholding Him.

Romans 12.2 is the most iconic and perhaps important verse on how we are transformed. Transformed by the renewing of our mind. Never forget that. But, it is not the only thing the Bible says about how we are transformed. This verse is equally important:

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.  2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV2011)

We become what we behold. We wind up like what we worship. We advance toward what we adore.

It is true in many arenas in life. Take tennis for example. Research shows that people who watch great tennis players become better. This is especially true if the imagine themselves moving like the pros.

Many amateurs report that seeing tennis played at the highest level improves their own games.

Watching tennis and playing it can be mutually helpful activities, dialectically entwined.

Jon Levey, a writer and avid player said: “I always play better after watching the pros. Their form shows you that less is more. They move their body weight into the ball much better than I do. Everything seems to work in symmetry. After the Open, I suddenly know how to hit ‘up’ on my serve, like they do.[2]

This is part of what makes idolatry so dangerous. Not only is it a slap in God’s face, it is damaging to us. Idolatry hurts the idolater.

What people revere, they resemble, either for ruin or restoration.

God has made humans to reflect him, but if they do not commit themselves to him, they will not reflect him but something else in creation. At the core of our beings we are imaging creatures. It is not possible to be neutral on this issue: we either reflect the Creator or something in creation.[3]

Worship is easier than it has ever been

There are a number of ways to worship:

·         Psalms. Many of the Psalms were designed for worship. Read them and adore God. Read them and change. Read them and be transformed.

·         Attributes of God. Meditate on the bigness of God, the goodness of God, the everywhereness of God.

·         Names of God. El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty); El Elyon (The Most High God); Adonai (Lord, Master); Yahweh (Lord, Jehovah); Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner); Jehovah-Raah (The Lord My Shepherd); Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals); Jehovah Shammah (The Lord Is There); Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness); Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You); El Olam (The Everlasting God); Elohim (God); Qanna (Jealous); Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide); Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace); Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts)[4]

·         Nature. I can’t prove it, but I believe Jacob was looking at a sunset in this verse: “By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.”  Hebrews 11:21 (NIV2011) I picture Jacob looking out at a sunset and thinking about the bigness and beauty of God. I nearly always do that when I look at a sunset. I can’t help myself.

·         Music. More than all of the above, nothing tunes my heart to worship like music.

Tune our hearts to sing Thy praise

Chris Tomlin often leads me in worship during my morning Quiet Time. And, when Chris Tomlin is leading, it is normally glorious. There are a number of ways to get Chris Tomlin on your TV, including:

·         A Smart TV

·         Roku Box

·         Amazon Fire TV

·         Apple TV

·         Chromecast

Pretty much anything that can get the Internet onto your TV will work. Do a search for “Chris Tomlin live worship” within the youtube app and walla! Chris Tomlin leads you in worship. What a time to be alive!