True Worship

November 15, 2011

Eight-year-old Dianelie, one the 2010-2011 His Little Feet Children’s Choir members from Haiti, shares below some of her reflections from her time spent in the United States:

“I was excited to meet new people when I came to America. At host homes I got to go roller skating and there was lots of toys and lots of games. All the host families were nice to me.

My favorite songs in the concert were ‘Today is the Day’, ‘His Little Feet’ … oh, all of them! They were all my favorite ones because I was praising God when I sang them! My favorite place I went in America was Disneyland because it has fast rides. My favorite state was Nebraska because it is beautiful and I liked it.

I wanted to come to America to make all of the people know Jesus and to sing for Him.”

Dianelie’s simple yet profound statements about worship should cause us to think about the real meaning of the Biblical concept and whether it is present in our daily lives. When we hear the words “worship” or “praise”, thoughts of congregational choruses and ancient hymns often come to mind. We easily forget that songs are just a small part of the meaning of worship; better said, songs are an avenue to worship.

One New Testament dictionary describes worship this way:

“It is not confined to praise; broadly it may be regarded as the direct acknowledgement to God, of His nature, attributes, ways and claims, whether by the outgoing of the heart in praise and thanksgiving or by deed done in such acknowledgment.”(1)

John 4:23-24 (NIV) says, “True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

A Biblical encyclopedia looks into these verses further:

“The texts cited also make of worship something far deeper than the human emotion or surrender of will; it is the response of God’s Spirit in us to that Spirit in Him, whereby we answer ‘Abba, Father,’ deep calling unto deep. Its object is…the loving attempt to pay our unpayable debt of love, the expression of devoted hearts…” (2)

What an amazing sight to see and experience the children grasp true worship to God, with their simple child-like faith. Dianelie and all His Little Feet Children’s Choir members are taught that worshipping God does not just happen when they are singing praises to Him on the platform, but in every aspect and moment of their lives, through their thoughts, words, and actions. People are constantly seeing a picture of Jesus through their smiles, humility, and genuine care for others.

How thankful we are to be impacted by the His Little Feet children’s pure worship of our Lord!

Jesus, we ask that You would guide the His Little Feet children in true worship of Your holy name, and show us all more of what it means to honor You in every moment of every day.

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(1) Vine, W. E. “Worship (Verb and Noun), Worshiping”, Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. Blue Letter Bible. 1940. 24 June, 1996 14 Nov 2011. 


(2) Crannell, Philip Wendell. “Worship”, International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia. Edited by James Orr. Blue Letter Bible. 1913. 5 May 2003 14 Nov 2011.