Everything an Act of Worship

Everything an act of worship?  Really?  As I was cleaning up powder from the bathroom floor yet again, (the powder my husband is using has a broken top that sprays powder all over,  and apparently because he is so tall he fails to see it on the floor so very very far below his eyeline!) I was thinking to myself, how in the heck is this supposed to be an act of worship?   And I got to thinking about all the little things we do every day...driving, cleaning, working, interacting with family, friends, strangers....How do we make these things an "act of worship" to the Lord? What is it about cleaning up powder or washing the dishes or going to work that becomes an act of worship?  What makes those things holy to the Lord?  Attitude? Maybe.  But what if it's something more?  What about obedience?

Here's where I am going with this, because in thinking about it and asking the Lord, I really feel He gave me the answer.  It's in being obedient to the Scripture, to His Word that helps to make anything and everything an act of worship.

Just a few examples here, I am sure you can come up with many many more yourselves.  Let's start with Romans 12:1  Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.

This can cover anything from sexual immorality to gluttony, laziness to extreme exercise...When we take care of our bodies, it is an act of worship.

Romans 12:10  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves.   

Driving?  How about giving preference to the other drivers, giving up that parking spot or letting someone go before you?  Honor one another above yourselves, and in obedience to the Word, driving becomes an act of worship.

Ephesians 4:29  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  

Words, our speech, what we say...condemning and complaining or kindly and encouraging....one worships Satan, the other an act of worship of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Epehsians 4:32  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  

Here's a tough one.  We are asked to have compassion on one another.  Now, that's not so hard when the person is hurting or struggling, or even a stranger in a foreign land, all of our hearts break when we see children starving here or in other countries; but what about the family member that let us down, the friend who betrayed us or the co-worker who took advantage of us?  Can we be obedient to this Scripture then as an act of worship?

Do you see, as I did, that making everything an act of worship involves obedience to the Word of the Lord?  How about these Scriptures?  What can you do in obedience to them that would constitute worship?

1 Thessalonians 5:14-18  And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.  Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 2:14-15  Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure children of God, without fault in a crooked and depraved generation.  

Ok, the list can go on and on.  As I read these Scriptures I see so many ways I can turn my every little act into a worshipful experience.  And I know that remembering to do this will be the battle for me.  But I pray that as the days go by, it becomes more and more second nature, no, first nature!  Lord, please let me focus on this today.  Help me to take the Scriptures I read with me throughout the day and look for ways to be obedient to them and worship You through that obedience.