Play Work Worship

Play, work and worship  are parts of nearly everyone’s life. We give significant time to each of them. However we are often confused about them.  Several years ago, I read this quote, “Most middle-class Americans tend to worship their work, to work at their play and to play at their worship,” by Lutheran Pastor Gordon Dahl.  The current sermon series at Resurrection is based on this quote.  Last Sunday, August 23, we examined the meaning of WORSHIP (Listen to the message here). This Sunday we will explore PLAY and on Sunday, September 6, we will look at WORK.

What Worship is NOT

In today's culture, we often approach worship as a form of entertainment or optional play.  Pastor Larry Peters writes on his blog;“What is most damaging to us, however, is when we play at worship; when we treat God as a hobby or distraction from the routines of work and play.

"It is obvious that worship for many has become entertainment and worship has become theater. Too many Christians sit in their theater style seating around a stage to watch a show, to witness great performers, to hear dramatic music, and to have fun.

"Too few of us expect to give ourselves into what we do on Sunday morning. Too many of us expect to come waiting to get and generally settling for what makes us feel good or makes us happy.”

What Worship IS

Worship is meant to focus our attention, our hearts and minds on God, first and foremost.  Jesus said “Strive first for the Kingdom of God and his righteousness.” Matthew 6:33. Worship has both individual as well as collective dimensions. We can worship God together on Sunday morning and we can worship God as individuals in our daily spiritual practice of prayer, Bible reading, and/or devotions.

One metaphor for worship is that it is a time to reset our G.P.S. position: our God Position System. Just as the Global Position System on our phones needs to connect to satellites in order to get a proper fix on our phones, worship is a time to reset our connection to God and God’s path for us. Worship reminds us of the grace, power and beauty of God’s love.

So what is Play?

This Sunday we will explore the function of play in our lives. Dahl contends that as Americans we “tend to work at our play.” As an example most adults no longer use the word “play” when they go to exercise; we more often call it “working out.”  Play and leisure have dropped out of our adult vocabulary because they seem too frivolous and extraneous. Coaches tell their team, “Stop playing around and get to work!” Sports have become less about play and more about serious achievements.

Yet psychologists are calling us to reconsider the role of play in our adult lives.  Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”  Play can be a form of rest and restoration for our work weary souls.

Join us this Sunday as we look at PLAY in our lives.

Pastor John Keller