Two prose poems follow describing worship. They sit near the front of a notebook I kept years ago, and they are now like theological tram-lines on which my own understanding of worship runs.The picture is from the centrepiece of the Ghent Altarpiece by Van Eyck. Based on Revelation 5 it depicts the central subversive paradox of the Lamb slain, adored, worshipped, and the centre of attention in heaven during the vision of John.
The first recognises, as Tozer always does, that our knowledge of the Holy is both biblical and mystical, revelation and mystery, eternal and incarnate, humbling and affirming, transcendent and intimate.
The second describes how worship is transformative of the personality, character and spirit of a human being so that all that is within us may bless His holy name.
What is worship?
Worship is to feel in your heart
and express in some appropriate manner
a humbling but delightful sense of admiring awe
and astonished wonder
and overpowering love
in the presence of that most ancient Mystery,
that Majesty which philosophers call the First Cause,
but which we call Our Father Which Are in Heaven.
A W Tozer
For worship is the submission of all our nature to God.
It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness;
the nourishment of mind with His truth;
the purifying of imagination by His beauty;
the opening of the heart to His love;
the surrender of will to His purpose --
and all of this gathered up in adoration,
the most selfless emotion of which our nature is capable
and therefore the chief remedy for that self-centredness
which is our original sin
and the source of all actual sin.
Archbishop William Temple
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