Worship is joyful submission and faithful surrender, not an organized atrophy or a social sedation; it taps our deepest spiritual energies. Joyful submission is not a "will to perish." It is witnessing eternal infinity. Faithful surrender is not a religious act, a doctrinal compliance, a defeat of autonomy, an acceptance of weakness, or a declaration of helplessness. It is faithful harboring in God and trusting His love and benevolence.
Faithful surrender is neither self-mortification nor resignation to external events. Surrender infuses you with the power of God and gives you the spiritual energy to find ways out of or through difficult life circumstances. It is inner docility to God's will.
Worship is not a time- and place-specific activity; it need not involve attending services, following rituals, or participating in religious ceremonies and duties. Worshipping God is a way of being-all the time and everywhere. Worship is carried out in all activities, whether you are driving a bus, cleaning dishes, playing with your children, making love to your spouse, or doing nothing. In fact, your every heartbeat should remind you of God's presence. In return, you resonate with God's spirit with every breath that you take. The Bible says, The kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:21)
The religious person believes in God; the worshipper loves God. Being religious is being obedient and faithful. Being a worshipper of "the known God" is joyful. God remains unknown to him or her who believes in God but does not love Him. The Bible says, So, love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. (Mark 12:30)
When you believe in and love God, you offer and surrender yourself to Him to be freed from your personal bondage. But selfless offering and loving surrender aren't forms of giving up your responsibilities. If anything, they expand your commitments. They are the acceptance of the Divine Order. Worship brings peaceful coexistence with your friends, coworkers, and family members. Worship stops you from playing God and allows you to accept God's will. You won't need to pull and push other people or maneuver or manipulate circumstances. Consequently you won't be disliked, feared, defended against or fought with; rather you'll be liked and assisted in your goals. In communion with God and in loving His other fellows, there is no need for polarization in relationships, such as being in control versus being controlled; dominating versus being dominated. Worship brings you freedom from these depleting conflicts and enables you to preserve your energy to serve your mission better.
T. Byram Karasu, M.D. author of The Spirit of Happiness
