We All Worship Something…

“There is no such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship.” ― David Foster Wallace

There I was, surrounded by thousands and thousands of people (close to 80,000) and emotions are running high. There’s excitements, sadness, joy… Some people have big smiles, others have tears streaming down their faces (be it of joy or sadness). The atmosphere is electric. Everyone’s joining in with singing and chanting, people are hugging each other, and the passion everyone carries is to be admired… Have you guessed where I was yet? If you are a Christian, who’s experienced the many Christian festivals and worship events, you may have guessed it was at one of these phenomenal events… However, you’d be wrong. I was actually at the Tottenham Hotspurs Football Match (now… stick with me… no matter what team you support, this is a safe place for us all to gather and chat… right?! HaHa).

As a family, we were invited to this match, a pre-season friendly (when the family tickets were cheaper and affordable) and it was our first ever experience of a ‘major football team,’ its stadium, and overall atmosphere. It was pretty amazing. I could talk to you for hours about how amazed I was by the logistics and planning that had to go into this match (streets, being closed, ped fencing, stewards, security), but I wont (catch me some time if you want to geek out about that). What truly, TRULY surprised me was the overall atmosphere at the event… So let me give you some context.

As a pastor at a local church, I am blessed and privileged to unpack scripture and ‘preach’ on a regular basis. And (this may be a shock to some), I really do believe the bible, and everything I share from it and about it, AND, it really excites me. I genuinely believe that it is good news, and that there is something amazing to be shared (I have to calm down now before I get too excited). But in that is my point. SO often, by friends and random visitors alike, my ‘energy and excitement’ as been ‘excused’ or ‘justified’ as my cultural Americanisms… And for a long time, I bought it. I have always said (and continue to maintain) that I never want anyone to ‘become’ me (the world can’t fully handle one of me). However, I do hope (maybe even expect) that some of that excitement and joy will be shared by all who believe… But I have always been told, ‘It’s just your Americanisms Adrian, we aren’t like that…’ Well… I beg to differ!!!

While at this football match, I saw passion, excitement, joy… I heard loud singing, shouting, and more energy than I could even describe… from the ‘British reserved’ who ‘don’t do that!’ Now, please do not misunderstand me. I am in no way placing judgement on the 80,000 fans, at all. I rather enjoyed the energy. What I find fascinating is the thought process that ‘we can’t do that’ in terms of faith and worship of God, yet ‘we can do that’ in terms of something like football. It landed that quote ringing true in my head, ‘we all worship something, we just choose what we worship.’ It leads me to ask, what are you worshipping? Might seem a strange question to you, if you aren’t a person of faith per say. But think about it for a moment. What are you worshipping?

The natural direction the thought took my brain was then to say, as we all worship something there is therefore a space and a scope for anyone to worship God, we just have to choose to. Perhaps, in your life thus far you have never had the chance or opportunity to worship God, or even explore what that might mean. Can I invite you to consider it. What difference might it make in your life? Perhaps, you have already chosen what you want to worship, but you are feeling unfulfilled, and empty. Can I invite you to consider what worshipping God might do for you? Ultimately, no matter who or what you are worshipping, I would love to further explore this idea of worship with you. Up for it? Why not get in touch for a coffee, or join us at the Backroom Cafe, or for a Sunday Service. You never know, it may be the start of something glorious and worth while.

** Article written for and published in the October 2024 Gamlingay Gazette.

** Image source: https://populous.com/showcases/tottenham-hotspur-football-club