WORSHIP IS THE ANTIDOTE FOR WORRY                2 Corinthians 5:12-14
¹² We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. ¹³ If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. ¹⁴ For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

God made you for five purposes: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism. But you can’t fulfill those purposes on your own. Life is not a solo act. You were created for community. The only way you can fulfill God’s five purposes in your life is with people giving you spiritual input. You need a church family! Why? Because the church helps you center your life around God. God didn’t put you on Earth to live a self-centered life. He wants to be at the core of your life. He made you to love you, and he wants you to love him back. In a sense, God says, “I want to be the hub of your heart. I want to be the focus of your attention. I want to be the center of your life. I want to be the axis of your existence.” The Bible says, “[Christ’s] love has the first and last word in everything we do. Our firm decision is to work from this focused center” (2 Corinthians 5:14 The Message).How can you tell that Christ is at the center of your life? You stop worrying. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life” (The Message). There’s a word for this: worship. When you focus your life on God, you worship. And worship is the antidote for worry. If you want to worry less, worship more. When are you supposed to worship? The Bible says, “You have six days when you can do your work, but the seventh day of each week is holy because it belongs to me. No matter where you live, you must rest on the Sabbath and come together for worship” (Leviticus 23:3 CEV).Once a week, God wants you to come together with other believers to refocus, recalibrate, and recenter your life on him. Where are you supposed to do it? Acts 2:46 says, “They worshipped together regularly at the Temple” (TLB). Can you see that God meant for you to be part of a church family? A church family helps you focus and center your life around God so that you can fulfill his purpose for you. If you’ve ever wondered, “Who am I? And why am I here?” you’re not alone. -By Rick Warren