Enjoying being a human being rather than a human doing, experiencing a taste of intimacy.

Stephen Bennett

Stand in front of the mirror, grab your lips then kiss the mirror! Ahh! You are made in the image of God! You just kissed Him - what a thought! Worshipping God is just that - it's like kissing Him. If you've ever had a good snog, you will know how nice it is - God actually invented it! Any spiritual power we may have in our music and gifts, to affect the lives of people in cities and nations, starts in this simple place - the place of intimacy.

The New Testament does not really talk a great deal about music, but Jesus Christ said His Father in heaven was seeking for 'true worshippers' John 4: 23. There were not many around at the time! After all our wonderful singing, music, knowledge, and 'powerful morning church services', it has sometimes been asked - "What is worship really?" Many Christians still do not fully know, or only have partial understanding of what worship actually is. Non-churchgoers often think it's something strange people do inside crumbling old buildings on Sundays, set on old street corners, and in ancient squares. Some Christians also think the same things.

The word worship in the New Testament is from the Greek word proskuneo. It primarily means to kiss, like a dog licking its master's face, or hand (now that's passionate!). Also to crouch, or to prostrate oneself in homage, to revere, adore - to worship. This worship brings us into the presence of God. It reflects a tender nearness, a very close relationship - intimacy. Up close and personal, yet way beyond a Robert Redford style! In the Bible it is perhaps best captured by King Solomon in one of his many songs - Song of Solomon: opening verse 2 "let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth - for your love is better than wine". Worship is more than just following songs in a Hymnal or on a screen on Sunday. It's better than the best vino, stout, or pint in your local. It's a yearning from deep in our hearts. It is connected to the whole person - to belong, to love. It embraces the full human package, in everything that is done and experienced through it.

In the busyness of human life we can lose the kiss of intimacy; living can end up being a drag, even if you are a Christian! There's nothing worse than cold lips. In our church activities, we can sing the worship songs, but be void of power, and hollow on the inside - a deep hint there is something more! There are many things that can rob you of your intimacy and joy in life: busyness, tiredness, debt, doing things out of routine and habit, even the incessant pounding of the multitude of distractions in society. These things can affect the power we have in our spiritual lives - one affects the other. It is easy to lose intimacy with God and each other. You end up being a human doing instead of a human being. 2 Peter 2: 20 tells us not to get entangled 'with the affairs of this life'. If you want to find God, you need to seek again that first love of the kiss of intimacy in your heart. Then you will find the spiritual power of the Holy Spirit that will change your life, and enable your music, gifts, and talents, to really change others.