There is a line that is heard in many church services – “Praise God from Whom all blessing flow.” Like many other recitations we may use in a church service, we probably recite this line without giving any thought to the significance of the words.

Praise God? Really? Does God have an ego that needs constant adoration and acknowledgment? Does He really need to be worshipped?

It’s a pretty good bet that the Creator of the universe doesn’t need our adoration to feel good about Himself. So, what is the purpose of worship?

When we apply logic to the question, we may recognize that it is we who need to worship. We need to engage in that activity that builds and strengthens our connection to the Creator.

To worship is to acknowledge the source of our being, the source of our world and all that it provides. It is a response of appreciation and recognition of all that we are unable to provide on our own.

Most importantly, worship is an expression of love, God’s native language.

Each of us, in our human existence, has experienced love. For most of us, we have experienced a love so powerful that we would sacrifice our life for another. It might be a spouse. It might be our child. But at some point, we probably experience love in the extreme.

Now, imagine a love so powerful that it builds worlds, builds stars and galaxies. Now imagine a love so powerful that it creates anything and everything that a human being could need to survive. Imagine a love so powerful that it enables free will.

“For God so loved the world…”

Imagine a love, so powerful that it would allow the ultimate sacrifice.

Why worship?

Perhaps to build and strengthen the bond to our creator, perhaps to taste a hint of that love that we might share with others.