The North Star of our worship

This week has been a fascinating time to watch the skies. The planets Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Uranus have lined up creating a great opportunity for those who enjoy viewing the sky. Last night we went out and could see all but Uranus which is too far away to be seen with the naked eye. For me, watching the stars move across the sky in perfect harmony with one another, and the fact that their movement is so predictable for astronomers to be able to know where each star, comet and planet will be with pinpoint accuracy is more evidence that God is author of creation. This universe in which we live did not come into existence in a random explosion but was crafted by God who designed every detail.

Last night's viewing was followed by this morning's devotional reading. I am currently reading The Wolf in their Pockets by Chris Martin who writes of the dangers that social media can play in the minds and lives of believers. It has been interesting reading which I would recommend to anyone serving in ministry or church leadership. While social media is not in itself harmful, it can cause harm if misused, and the author presents 13 ways social media can be misused.

In my reading this morning Martin mentions the star Polaris which is the North Star. It is found on the tip of the handle of the Little Dipper. Because this star is aligned with the North Pole it appears to not move but always point to the north. This star has been used as a navigational device for centuries. Martin writes, "What or who we worship serves as our North Star...All of life seems to revolve around that which we worship, even if it isn't actually doing so, just as all the stars in the sky seen to rotate around Polaris."

The Bible regularly warns us against the worship of false idols or gods. Such false objects of worship may not be the god of another religion or a carved object we pray to. A false god could be wealth, fame, a hobby, our career (even ministry), material possessions, pleasure, sports or even our family. A false god can be anything that we give our lives to and turn to when life becomes difficult. The North Star of true worship is found only in God.

The worship of God is more than singing a few songs on Sunday and dropping some money in the offering plate. It is yielding our entire selves to Him and to His will for our lives. When we truly worship God our entire world revolves around our relationship with Him.

What, or who, is it you worship? Now, stop and think before you answer. Is God truly at the of your life, or have you put yourself in that position? Have you put something else in that position? Perhaps God is part of your life, but is He at the very center of all you are and do? He will not accept second-place. This is a question that all Christians must answer, not once, but on a consistent basis to ensure God is still our North Star for worship.