What Is the Goal of Worship? (with Emily Jensen)

But you know, I think a lot of us when But you know, I think a lot of us when we think about worship, it's like, "Oh, we think about worship, it's like, "Oh, we think about worship, it's like, "Oh, I'm going to get in my car and I'm going I'm going to get in my car and I'm going I'm going to get in my car and I'm going to put up some praise music and I'm to put up some praise music and I'm to put up some praise music and I'm going to feel the feels. It's going to going to feel the feels. It's going to going to feel the feels. It's going to It's going to help me feel things about It's going to help me feel things about It's going to help me feel things about God." God." God." Um so, Um so, Um so, what is actually the goal of worship? what is actually the goal of worship? what is actually the goal of worship? You know, what's what's the goal of, you You know, what's what's the goal of, you You know, what's what's the goal of, you know, thinking about our words and our know, thinking about our words and our know, thinking about our words and our works and our why? Like, what is the works and our why? Like, what is the works and our why? Like, what is the What is the ultimate goal of that? Is it What is the ultimate goal of that? Is it What is the ultimate goal of that? Is it change how we feel? Or what what do you change how we feel? Or what what do you change how we feel? Or what what do you think? How would you even describe what think? How would you even describe what think? How would you even describe what the goal is? the goal is? the goal is? >> Absolutely. Well, because God is >> Absolutely. Well, because God is >> Absolutely. Well, because God is infinitely worthy, the goal is just that infinitely worthy, the goal is just that infinitely worthy, the goal is just that we would respond to him in the way that we would respond to him in the way that we would respond to him in the way that we ought, right? We are commanded to be we ought, right? We are commanded to be we ought, right? We are commanded to be fully devoted to him, to give our whole fully devoted to him, to give our whole fully devoted to him, to give our whole lives as a living sacrifice, to obey his lives as a living sacrifice, to obey his lives as a living sacrifice, to obey his commands, to do good works. And so, I commands, to do good works. And so, I commands, to do good works. And so, I think that there is a very real like if think that there is a very real like if think that there is a very real like if we see God for who he is, like, we're we see God for who he is, like, we're we see God for who he is, like, we're not going to be able to help ourselves not going to be able to help ourselves not going to be able to help ourselves but worship. Um but in addition to that, but worship. Um but in addition to that, but worship. Um but in addition to that, I I do think there are incredible I I do think there are incredible I I do think there are incredible blessings and benefits for us that are blessings and benefits for us that are blessings and benefits for us that are real real real and that we don't worship simply because and that we don't worship simply because and that we don't worship simply because of those things, but I do think it's of those things, but I do think it's of those things, but I do think it's okay to acknowledge that those things okay to acknowledge that those things okay to acknowledge that those things are real. I mean, again, our hearts were are real. I mean, again, our hearts were are real. I mean, again, our hearts were created to be fully satisfied in who God created to be fully satisfied in who God created to be fully satisfied in who God is. And so, of course, when we put on a

is. And so, of course, when we put on a is. And so, of course, when we put on a song or maybe we read a scripture and we song or maybe we read a scripture and we song or maybe we read a scripture and we focus our minds and our hearts on that focus our minds and our hearts on that focus our minds and our hearts on that or we think more intentionally about the or we think more intentionally about the or we think more intentionally about the grace that he's given us in Christ or grace that he's given us in Christ or grace that he's given us in Christ or the peace that we can have, the peace that we can have, the peace that we can have, I do think like we are embodied I do think like we are embodied I do think like we are embodied creatures. That helps us and it can help creatures. That helps us and it can help creatures. That helps us and it can help us us us um calm down. But um calm down. But um calm down. But I don't know. I I think that I try I don't know. I I think that I try I don't know. I I think that I try not to pursue worship as like not to pursue worship as like not to pursue worship as like a means to an end of a certain feeling, a means to an end of a certain feeling, a means to an end of a certain feeling, but again to notice that these are but again to notice that these are but again to notice that these are investments in my walk with God as well. investments in my walk with God as well. investments in my walk with God as well. Like um Like um Like um you know, right thinking begets right you know, right thinking begets right you know, right thinking begets right actions and often times like our actions and often times like our actions and often times like our feelings follow. And so of course like feelings follow. And so of course like feelings follow. And so of course like feelings are ideal in worship, but we feelings are ideal in worship, but we feelings are ideal in worship, but we live in life after the fall. We don't live in life after the fall. We don't live in life after the fall. We don't always have those feelings. Sometimes always have those feelings. Sometimes always have those feelings. Sometimes we're busy, sometimes we're we're busy, sometimes we're we're busy, sometimes we're uh distracted by different things and so uh distracted by different things and so uh distracted by different things and so we have to keep going, right? We're we have to keep going, right? We're we have to keep going, right? We're walking by faith, not by sight.

walking by faith, not by sight. walking by faith, not by sight. Um and Jesus wants us to abide in him. I Um and Jesus wants us to abide in him. I Um and Jesus wants us to abide in him. I I think a lot about like I think a lot about like I think a lot about like with worship or just investments in our with worship or just investments in our with worship or just investments in our walk with God of like marriage a little walk with God of like marriage a little walk with God of like marriage a little bit in the sense of not every day in bit in the sense of not every day in bit in the sense of not every day in marriage do you wake up and you're like, marriage do you wake up and you're like, marriage do you wake up and you're like, I have all the warm fuzzies and you I have all the warm fuzzies and you I have all the warm fuzzies and you know, I'm going to like put these little know, I'm going to like put these little know, I'm going to like put these little drops in the bucket of our relationship drops in the bucket of our relationship drops in the bucket of our relationship just so I can like, you know, spring all just so I can like, you know, spring all just so I can like, you know, spring all those warm fuzzies up again and so that those warm fuzzies up again and so that those warm fuzzies up again and so that they'll love me in return. Like you do they'll love me in return. Like you do they'll love me in return. Like you do it because you've made a commitment, you it because you've made a commitment, you it because you've made a commitment, you have a covenant with them and you have have a covenant with them and you have have a covenant with them and you have this bigger picture in mind of what this bigger picture in mind of what this bigger picture in mind of what you're investing in and you're like, you're investing in and you're like, you're investing in and you're like, this is a lifelong thing. And so like, this is a lifelong thing. And so like, this is a lifelong thing. And so like, I'm going to do this because at the I'm going to do this because at the I'm going to do this because at the deepest levels this matters to me and I deepest levels this matters to me and I deepest levels this matters to me and I value this relationship. And the same is value this relationship. And the same is value this relationship. And the same is true in our relationship with God. We're true in our relationship with God. We're true in our relationship with God. We're not just turning on the worship music not just turning on the worship music not just turning on the worship music simply because simply because simply because we want to feel some good feelings. We we want to feel some good feelings. We we want to feel some good feelings. We have this like long-term view and we're have this like long-term view and we're have this like long-term view and we're like, this is another incredible like, this is another incredible like, this is another incredible investment in a long-term eternal investment in a long-term eternal investment in a long-term eternal relationship that I have. And maybe I'm relationship that I have. And maybe I'm relationship that I have. And maybe I'm going to feel the feelings right now, going to feel the feelings right now, going to feel the feelings right now, maybe I'm not, but that's okay cuz like maybe I'm not, but that's okay cuz like maybe I'm not, but that's okay cuz like this is it's a long road.

this is it's a long road. this is it's a long road. >> Yeah, and I love that even just thinking >> Yeah, and I love that even just thinking >> Yeah, and I love that even just thinking about like his that he's worthful and he about like his that he's worthful and he about like his that he's worthful and he never changes. So whether we feel it or never changes. So whether we feel it or never changes. So whether we feel it or not, he is still not, he is still not, he is still worthful. You know, like there is still worthful. You know, like there is still worthful. You know, like there is still he is he is worthy of worship whether we he is he is worthy of worship whether we he is he is worthy of worship whether we feel it or not. So, you know, we we're feel it or not. So, you know, we we're feel it or not. So, you know, we we're kind of coming at that question from the kind of coming at that question from the kind of coming at that question from the angle of angle of angle of you know, how it changes us to worship. you know, how it changes us to worship. you know, how it changes us to worship. God is always worthy of it, but but it God is always worthy of it, but but it God is always worthy of it, but but it actually does start kind of aligning our actually does start kind of aligning our actually does start kind of aligning our the moments of our days with his the moments of our days with his the moments of our days with his majesty, with his worthiness, with his majesty, with his worthiness, with his majesty, with his worthiness, with his glory, with all of these things. And glory, with all of these things. And glory, with all of these things. And there is so you know, those times in there is so you know, those times in there is so you know, those times in life and and I hope anybody listening life and and I hope anybody listening life and and I hope anybody listening has had that experience when you feel has had that experience when you feel has had that experience when you feel that alignment. That what you are that alignment. That what you are that alignment. That what you are feeling in your heart is the same thing feeling in your heart is the same thing feeling in your heart is the same thing that you're saying with your lips. And that you're saying with your lips. And that you're saying with your lips. And it's just it's magnificent and beautiful it's just it's magnificent and beautiful it's just it's magnificent and beautiful and powerful and you know, it's the the and powerful and you know, it's the the and powerful and you know, it's the the thing that we kind of long for, but thing that we kind of long for, but thing that we kind of long for, but but if he never changes and he's always but if he never changes and he's always but if he never changes and he's always worthy of this then of our worship, then worthy of this then of our worship, then worthy of this then of our worship, then what do we do in those moments where we what do we do in those moments where we what do we do in those moments where we know we are to be worshipping him and know we are to be worshipping him and know we are to be worshipping him and with our with our words, with our works with our with our words, with our works with our with our words, with our works and with our wise and we simply do not and with our wise and we simply do not and with our wise and we simply do not feel it. We either feel numb, feel it. We either feel numb, feel it. We either feel numb, um you know, we can feel kind of just um you know, we can feel kind of just um you know, we can feel kind of just apathetic or we can feel angry. We can apathetic or we can feel angry. We can apathetic or we can feel angry. We can feel like we you know, it's like not feel like we you know, it's like not feel like we you know, it's like not wanting to give that person that wanting to give that person that wanting to give that person that compliment. You know, we can feel that

compliment. You know, we can feel that compliment. You know, we can feel that towards God. Like I actually want to towards God. Like I actually want to towards God. Like I actually want to withhold this from you right now because withhold this from you right now because withhold this from you right now because I'm angry or I'm upset um because our I'm angry or I'm upset um because our I'm angry or I'm upset um because our hearts are deceitful above all things. hearts are deceitful above all things. hearts are deceitful above all things. And so, what do we what do we do then um And so, what do we what do we do then um And so, what do we what do we do then um when when when when our we don't feel like worshipping when our we don't feel like worshipping when our we don't feel like worshipping God? God? God? >> Yeah, absolutely. That's hard and it's >> Yeah, absolutely. That's hard and it's >> Yeah, absolutely. That's hard and it's real and I think some of the real and I think some of the real and I think some of the causes for that you've already mentioned causes for that you've already mentioned causes for that you've already mentioned and it's worth and it's worth and it's worth uh trying to diagnose or like uh trying to diagnose or like uh trying to diagnose or like understand, understand, understand, hey, if if I've and I'm been at church hey, if if I've and I'm been at church hey, if if I've and I'm been at church several Sundays in a row and I'm just several Sundays in a row and I'm just several Sundays in a row and I'm just not connecting with anything and my not connecting with anything and my not connecting with anything and my heart is not being revived or warmed heart is not being revived or warmed heart is not being revived or warmed towards God in any way. I think it's towards God in any way. I think it's towards God in any way. I think it's worth like worth like worth like why, you know? Or if I'm struggling to I why, you know? Or if I'm struggling to I why, you know? Or if I'm struggling to I don't want to get in the word um and don't want to get in the word um and don't want to get in the word um and that can be for a variety of reasons. that can be for a variety of reasons. that can be for a variety of reasons. Some reasons that I know I've Some reasons that I know I've Some reasons that I know I've experienced is one is just I'm over experienced is one is just I'm over experienced is one is just I'm over busy, I'm too distracted. Um busy, I'm too distracted. Um busy, I'm too distracted. Um I'm literally going from thing to thing I'm literally going from thing to thing I'm literally going from thing to thing to thing to thing and like you said that to thing to thing and like you said that to thing to thing and like you said that can cause a numbness in my heart and in can cause a numbness in my heart and in can cause a numbness in my heart and in my soul. I mean, even just giving a a my soul. I mean, even just giving a a my soul. I mean, even just giving a a church on Sunday example, like it's hard church on Sunday example, like it's hard church on Sunday example, like it's hard when I've gotten five kids ready to go when I've gotten five kids ready to go when I've gotten five kids ready to go and we've had arguments and you know, and we've had arguments and you know, and we've had arguments and you know, someone's hair didn't get combed and someone's hair didn't get combed and someone's hair didn't get combed and whatever. Like it is hard to then step whatever. Like it is hard to then step whatever. Like it is hard to then step out of the car and like get into church out of the car and like get into church out of the car and like get into church and be like and be like and be like Huh, Huh, Huh, you know, I'm going to sing and like I'm you know, I'm going to sing and like I'm you know, I'm going to sing and like I'm going to pray. Like it's just kind of going to pray. Like it's just kind of going to pray. Like it's just kind of feels like whiplash and that's true if feels like whiplash and that's true if feels like whiplash and that's true if in our days and our lives we are just in our days and our lives we are just in our days and our lives we are just boom boom boom boom boom, totally boom boom boom boom boom, totally boom boom boom boom boom, totally focused on the cares of the world, like

focused on the cares of the world, like focused on the cares of the world, like it's hard to move from that into it's hard to move from that into it's hard to move from that into spiritual things. I think that spiritual things. I think that spiritual things. I think that um certainly seasons of grief, seasons um certainly seasons of grief, seasons um certainly seasons of grief, seasons of doubt, seasons of loss, like it may of doubt, seasons of loss, like it may of doubt, seasons of loss, like it may be oh, I need to maybe worship God be oh, I need to maybe worship God be oh, I need to maybe worship God through lament or I need to worship God through lament or I need to worship God through lament or I need to worship God um um um in ways that sound different than when I in ways that sound different than when I in ways that sound different than when I am in seasons where things are a little am in seasons where things are a little am in seasons where things are a little bit more fruitful or more joyful. bit more fruitful or more joyful. bit more fruitful or more joyful. I know for me, I personally find it I know for me, I personally find it I know for me, I personally find it hardest to have feelings of worship hardest to have feelings of worship hardest to have feelings of worship towards God when things are going well towards God when things are going well towards God when things are going well in my life, actually. in my life, actually. in my life, actually. Because I have a harder time seeing my Because I have a harder time seeing my Because I have a harder time seeing my need and being humbled before him. And need and being humbled before him. And need and being humbled before him. And so often times, if I've noticed I'm kind so often times, if I've noticed I'm kind so often times, if I've noticed I'm kind of in this weird dry thing, it's like of in this weird dry thing, it's like of in this weird dry thing, it's like oh, I am putting oh, I am putting oh, I am putting too much confidence, I am assuming God's too much confidence, I am assuming God's too much confidence, I am assuming God's provision, I am assuming provision, I am assuming provision, I am assuming these blessings, you know, and I'm not these blessings, you know, and I'm not these blessings, you know, and I'm not I'm not actually seeing my need for him. I'm not actually seeing my need for him. I'm not actually seeing my need for him. Um so, I think that diagnostic piece is Um so, I think that diagnostic piece is Um so, I think that diagnostic piece is really important. But then again, really important. But then again, really important. But then again, continuing on with those faithful continuing on with those faithful continuing on with those faithful disciplines anyway, knowing that again, disciplines anyway, knowing that again, disciplines anyway, knowing that again, feelings come and go, but these feelings come and go, but these feelings come and go, but these investments are worthwhile. I mean, investments are worthwhile. I mean, investments are worthwhile. I mean, working out is like a great analogy of working out is like a great analogy of working out is like a great analogy of this. Like, this. Like, this. Like, not often do we want to go on the run or not often do we want to go on the run or not often do we want to go on the run or do the exercise. It's like, you know, do the exercise. It's like, you know, do the exercise. It's like, you know, there is a little bit of that there is a little bit of that there is a little bit of that resistance. Sometimes you're in a good resistance. Sometimes you're in a good resistance. Sometimes you're in a good mood and you want to do it, sometimes mood and you want to do it, sometimes mood and you want to do it, sometimes you don't. But But for most people, the

you don't. But But for most people, the you don't. But But for most people, the goal is, well, goal is, well, goal is, well, I want to be able to have this energy so I want to be able to have this energy so I want to be able to have this energy so I keep up with my kids or my grandkids. I keep up with my kids or my grandkids. I keep up with my kids or my grandkids. Or I want to be able to, you know, you Or I want to be able to, you know, you Or I want to be able to, you know, you have some other goal in mind. And so, have some other goal in mind. And so, have some other goal in mind. And so, you do it for the greater good. And then you do it for the greater good. And then you do it for the greater good. And then afterwards, like, 99% of the time, once afterwards, like, 99% of the time, once afterwards, like, 99% of the time, once you got through it, you're glad that you you got through it, you're glad that you you got through it, you're glad that you did it. And I think that's so true of did it. And I think that's so true of did it. And I think that's so true of worship, whether it's worship, whether it's worship, whether it's it's prayer or or doing the act of it's prayer or or doing the act of it's prayer or or doing the act of obedience that we were kind of, you obedience that we were kind of, you obedience that we were kind of, you know, begrudging, or it is singing a know, begrudging, or it is singing a know, begrudging, or it is singing a hymn, or it is doing our Bible reading. hymn, or it is doing our Bible reading. hymn, or it is doing our Bible reading. Like, Like, Like, how often, if you are filled with the how often, if you are filled with the how often, if you are filled with the spirit, do you end that time like, man, spirit, do you end that time like, man, spirit, do you end that time like, man, that was a real waste of time? that was a real waste of time? that was a real waste of time? Absolutely not. Like, you come away in Absolutely not. Like, you come away in Absolutely not. Like, you come away in some way with your heart warm towards some way with your heart warm towards some way with your heart warm towards him. I We have to give credit to the him. I We have to give credit to the him. I We have to give credit to the Holy Spirit for that. That like, look, Holy Spirit for that. That like, look, Holy Spirit for that. That like, look, if you were filled with the spirit, the if you were filled with the spirit, the if you were filled with the spirit, the spirit is going to draw you and warm spirit is going to draw you and warm spirit is going to draw you and warm your heart to Christ. Not perfectly, not your heart to Christ. Not perfectly, not your heart to Christ. Not perfectly, not fully at every time, but uh that that's fully at every time, but uh that that's fully at every time, but uh that that's going to happen. going to happen. going to happen. >> I love that you um just acknowledge >> I love that you um just acknowledge >> I love that you um just acknowledge sometimes we don't feel it. And then the sometimes we don't feel it. And then the sometimes we don't feel it. And then the Lord brings the feelings. You you know, Lord brings the feelings. You you know, Lord brings the feelings. You you know, and I think we we all know that in even and I think we we all know that in even and I think we we all know that in even our relationships with other people in our relationships with other people in our relationships with other people in our lives. And our lives. And our lives. And um you know, sometimes the closest um you know, sometimes the closest um you know, sometimes the closest people to us in our life, we're not people to us in our life, we're not people to us in our life, we're not feeling the feelings towards and know, feeling the feelings towards and know, feeling the feelings towards and know, but you you you know you're called to as but you you you know you're called to as but you you you know you're called to as you talked about earlier. And I I think you talked about earlier. And I I think you talked about earlier. And I I think the one thing I mean, we've talked about the one thing I mean, we've talked about the one thing I mean, we've talked about all these other ways worship is, but I all these other ways worship is, but I all these other ways worship is, but I do think it's important. It is important

do think it's important. It is important do think it's important. It is important to say singing does help. Um I to say singing does help. Um I to say singing does help. Um I I mean, because I was just I remember I mean, because I was just I remember I mean, because I was just I remember one day, it was it was right before one day, it was it was right before one day, it was it was right before Easter. It was it was maybe even last Easter. It was it was maybe even last Easter. It was it was maybe even last year. And I was not feeling the Easter year. And I was not feeling the Easter year. And I was not feeling the Easter feelings. And you feel really guilty for feelings. And you feel really guilty for feelings. And you feel really guilty for not feeling the Easter feelings. not feeling the Easter feelings. not feeling the Easter feelings. [laughter] Like this is kind of the big [laughter] Like this is kind of the big [laughter] Like this is kind of the big thing Jesus did for us, you know? And I thing Jesus did for us, you know? And I thing Jesus did for us, you know? And I was just like was just like was just like Yeah, Easter's coming. Okay. I mean, you Yeah, Easter's coming. Okay. I mean, you Yeah, Easter's coming. Okay. I mean, you know, just thinking of what I needed to know, just thinking of what I needed to know, just thinking of what I needed to do rather than what God had done. That's do rather than what God had done. That's do rather than what God had done. That's often what gets me off my worship. And I often what gets me off my worship. And I often what gets me off my worship. And I I was so I did whatever every really I was so I did whatever every really I was so I did whatever every really spiritual person did. I started spiritual person did. I started spiritual person did. I started scrolling Facebook. Um and when I what scrolling Facebook. Um and when I what scrolling Facebook. Um and when I what someone else had shared, Sandra someone else had shared, Sandra someone else had shared, Sandra McCracken's Thy Mercy, My God. And I McCracken's Thy Mercy, My God. And I McCracken's Thy Mercy, My God. And I just happened to click on it. And it was just happened to click on it. And it was just happened to click on it. And it was amazing how the song reminded my soul of amazing how the song reminded my soul of amazing how the song reminded my soul of what I desperately needed to hear. And what I desperately needed to hear. And what I desperately needed to hear. And And And I've studied this a little bit. And And I've studied this a little bit. And And I've studied this a little bit. We're getting ready to do our conference We're getting ready to do our conference We're getting ready to do our conference is going to be on the Psalms.

is going to be on the Psalms. is going to be on the Psalms. And one thing about singing is it gets And one thing about singing is it gets And one thing about singing is it gets to in different parts of our memory. to in different parts of our memory. to in different parts of our memory. Um so, whereas like names are stored in Um so, whereas like names are stored in Um so, whereas like names are stored in one part of the memory, actually songs one part of the memory, actually songs one part of the memory, actually songs are stored in our emotional memory. And are stored in our emotional memory. And are stored in our emotional memory. And so, even people with like Alzheimer's so, even people with like Alzheimer's so, even people with like Alzheimer's and dementia can often remember a hymn and dementia can often remember a hymn and dementia can often remember a hymn even when they can't remember anything even when they can't remember anything even when they can't remember anything else. And so, I find that amazing. It else. And so, I find that amazing. It else. And so, I find that amazing. It really is a gift. Well, really is a gift. Well, really is a gift. Well, again, it's our words, our works, and again, it's our words, our works, and again, it's our words, our works, and our why. our why. our why. But when we aren't feeling things, I do But when we aren't feeling things, I do But when we aren't feeling things, I do think it's a good discipline and it's think it's a good discipline and it's think it's a good discipline and it's sometimes it's a discipline sometimes it's a discipline sometimes it's a discipline to to put on some worship music and say, to to put on some worship music and say, to to put on some worship music and say, "Lord, just remind me about truths about "Lord, just remind me about truths about "Lord, just remind me about truths about you as I go through it through my day.