I have been reading Desiring God by John Piper lately. In the chapter on worship, Piper describes the components of worship in a unique way.

In the context of John 4:1-26, Piper offers this picture:

“The fuel of worship is a true vision of the greatness of God; the fire that makes the fuel burn white hot is the quickening of the Holy Spirit; the furnace made alive and warm by the flame of truth is our renewed spirit; and the resulting heat of our affections is powerful worship, pushing its way out in confessions, longings, acclamations, tears, songs, shouts, bowed heads, lifted hands, and obedient lives.”

I read that and think how critical it is for sound biblical thinking to inform our minds and hearts. Without God’s Word, we’d have no true vision of who God is. Without truth, there is no worship. Likewise, if the Holy Spirit has not changed our hearts, minds, and souls, then there is no worship. Praise be to our God who has made the way for us to worship Him!