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For or To?
Isaiah 2:2 has become a key verse for our church this year. Surprisingly, one simple word makes a significant difference in the meaning of this verse. The scripture says, “In the last days, the Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem will become the most important place on earth. People from all over the world will go there to worship.”
God said people will go there to worship not for worship. Does it matter? Actually, it does. The word to according to Webster’s dictionary “indicates movement toward a place, person, or thing reached.” It “indicates purpose, intention, tendency, result”. On the other hand, for “indicates the object or recipient of an activity”. The word to is active and purposeful while the word for is passive and about receiving.
Still, what difference does it make to the meaning of the verse? God said people will stream into the Church to worship Him. If we go to church for worship, the emphasis is on me. We’re passive and think things like: “help me”, “inspire me”, “teach me” and “entertain me”. We’re consumer minded, inward focused and self-centered (ouch!). We’ve all slipped into this perspective. The problem is this approach leads to disappointment, frustration and lack of fulfillment.
Conversely, if we go to church to worship as He instructed, we are God focused and others minded. We’re active, intentional and determined. We’re intrinsically motivated and outward focused. We come to church to enable others to be encouraged and helped. Our emphasis is on connecting with God and serving others. With this outlook, we’ll get helped, inspired and taught too. And, we’ll feel fulfilled and satisfied. Aim for more to and less for!
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