They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator. (Rom. 1:25)
Expanded Passage: Romans 1:24-27
What are you daydreaming about lately? You can tell a lot about a person based on the things that capture their attention.
Our attention shapes our character. Christians are repeatedly called to pay attention to Christ; but that’s hard in moments when other concerns feel more real than the presence of God in our lives. When those things loom large, our focus can grow away from our call to be humble servants, and instead shift toward building feelings of security.
The prescription, Paul says, is right worship. But for Paul, worship isn’t just a moment in a gathering; worship is a way of paying attention. Paul writes that submission to Christ will lead disciples to be renewed in both our hearts and our habits. When others hoard, disciples give; when others bemoan the state of the world, Christians focus on ways God is bringing life. Every moment you inhabit today is a space where God can transform you. From budget meetings, to changing diapers, to the grocery checkout line—the Spirit is yearning to apply the character of Jesus Christ to your way of being present there.
The call of the disciple is to enter into worship, laying down our agenda and submitting our attention, time, desires, and habits to the Holy Spirit so that we can pay attention to how God is bringing life to each moment.
Tell someone how you will attend to God this week.
Ethan Linder is the discipleship pastor at College Wesleyan Church (IN) and contributing editor for Education and Clergy Development of The Wesleyan Church.
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
