The soul has a transcendent dimension, meaning it has a natural longing for the more than, for something greater than ourselves. This transcendent dimension is responsible for our passion for art, beauty, literature, and meaning. But the highest expression of the transcendent dimension is worship. In worship we give ourselves over to something greater than ourselves. Worship is an extravagant admiration for and a deep devotion to some object we esteem. By this definition people can and do worship many things, from soccer to nature to rock stars to money. And yet, all of these objects of worship leave the worshiper feeling empty or let down.

In short, we were made to worship. But the object of that worship matters. And the only object worthy of our worship is our Creator—namely, the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When we worship God, the transcendent dimension of our soul is energized and comes alive, and because it is our Maker, Redeemer, and Sustainer that we worship, our souls are nourished. There are many ways to worship God, but the simplest and most direct is simply to set our minds on God. The great Puritan Thomas Watson wrote:

I love that question: Have our thoughts got wings? Our mind, when it is set on the good and beautiful God that Jesus revealed, produces “thoughts with wings.” And our embodied souls are transported.

One worship practice I find very helpful is to do what Watson suggests—namely, to practice God’s presence. This involves simply being in solitude and silence, and turning our minds upon God who is with us. In the stillness I remind myself of powerful truths—thoughts from above (Colossians 3:1-2)—such as these:

• God is upholding me from day to day.

• God loves me far more than I can ever know or understand.

• God is out for my good.

• God is all-powerful.

• God is all-knowing.

• God is all-loving.

• God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29).

Simple truths like these can produce thoughts with wings, and set my heart and mind on things above, where Christ is. This is what the transcendent dimension of our souls desires.

Many people, including myself, find music to be a great way to connect to God in worship. Today we have access to so much great music through streaming channels. I am grateful that nearly all of the great hymns and praise songs are at my fingertips. I do not sing well, but when I am alone and out of the earshot of others, I make a joyful noise and sing along with these songs or use my hymnbook. At other times I simply listen and reflect on the power of the words. The other day I heard a new version of “Be Thou My Vision,” and I listened intently until the words and the music moved me to praise and doxology.

This is not the only way to worship. There are many avenues to worship, according to Richard J. Foster. He defines worship as “an ordered way of acting and living that sets us before God so he can transform us.” In other words, we must be intentional. I have found this to be true. We have to plan for worship. We have to set aside time, and we have to prepare our hearts for worship. I find this to be true for personal worship, but even more so for corporate worship, especially worship in church. Ironically, I am often hurried and distracted and inattentive to God when I am in church.

Again, Foster offers excellent advice for helping us prepare for Sunday worship in church, which he says begins the night before: “Prepare on Saturday night by going to bed early.” He also suggests we “gather early before actual worship service” so that we can be still and become aware of the presence of God in the sanctuary. This helps us to “let go of the inner distractions” that hinder us from worshiping God. Every time I have followed Richard’s counsel in these ways, I have found my worship experience much richer and more fulfilling.

It is a good and right thing to give God thanks and praise, as we say in the liturgy. But we do not worship because God needs our worship: God deserves to be worshiped, and our souls are designed to worship, and it is our great privilege to worship—this is why we worship. It leads to wellness in our souls.

This week set aside personal time to worship, and plan ahead for worship in your church, coming with a sense of holy expectancy that God will meet you there, and the meditations of your heart and mind will take wing.