Heart of Worship: 30 Days to Deeper PraiseSample

Hey this is Chelsea with SEU Worship and I have the privilege of bringing today's Scripture to you. It is from Psalm 84:10 (NIV):

"Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”

Have you ever felt like your worth was measured by your status - where you've been, where you're from, who you knew? I remember this time in elementary school where the most popular girl invited me over for a playdate. I was acting real nonchalant, going up to all my friends being like, "yeah - her people called my people (aka our moms’ talked)” and "we'll see if I go, I don't really know”. And yet I knew people had to have known that I was so excited and it was everything to me at the moment. I wanted to be seen and wanted - to be put in a popular-seated area. This is just my natural human inclination.

But the Psalmist here was fully convinced that there was no rank, title, position or moment that could compare to even the lowliest position in God's house. Just to be a doorkeeper, someone standing on the threshold, was better than living in luxury but far from Him. Just to be near the presence of God was enough.

That kind of conviction doesn't just come from head knowledge, it comes from a heart experience being in the presence of God - tasting His goodness, His love, and His mercy.

When that happens there's no other convincing needed. The response of needing more of Him flows from us from that place. Maybe you find yourself striving today to desire Him or striving to believe that His presence really is the best place to be. Maybe meeting with God feels more like a discipline lately than a joy - it's something to check off your to-do list and say you did today.

But can I encourage you today - do not shame yourself for that. Desire doesn't always show up in a loud and obvious way. Sometimes it starts as simple as a cry, a quiet voice, just saying "God, I want to want you."

That's still a pursuit. That's still worship.

What if instead of trying to feel something, you simply show up? Not waiting to be emotionally in the right place, but trusting in your heart that He is worth it right now?

God's presence has a way of changing us, reviving us. It softens those apathetic places. We don't chase Him to feel worthy - we chase Him because He is worthy. His presence - that is what makes us whole.

So if you're tired, distracted or feeling dry. Don't run away. I encourage you to run towards Him, even if all you can do is stand at the threshold. Why? Because one real moment near Him is worth more than a thousand days chasing anything else.

Better is one day. Go in peace.