“Worship is when we give God His breath back” (Louie Giglio).

The more I think about that quote, the more I love it. I think Louie encapsulated all of worship in those eight words. After all, worship involves praise and singing songs to God, but it’s more than just the songs. True worship involves every aspect of your life from morning until night.

Worship is a response to God giving us life. Just as God breathed life into Adam at creation, so God breathed life into each and every one of us. Everything after that first breath is also a gift from God. So our lives are a response of thanksgiving back to God. As Ephesians 2 says, we are heaven’s poetry etched on human lives.

Every time we do our jobs with excellence, we give God His breath back.

Every time we love our families well and show them Jesus in our sacrifice and generosity, we give God His breath back.

Every time we respond to hatred and hurt with God’s love toward our enemies, we give God His breath back.

Every time we go across the globe or across the street to share Jesus with our neighbors, we give God His breath back.

Every time we gather together to celebrate the glory of God through preaching, giving, and singing, we give God His breath back.

Worship is not us earning our salvation or even in some way attempting to pay God back. It’s our lived out gratitude that overflows into all the parts of our daily lives. It’s us declaring the worth of God to anyone who is watching. That’s when we give God His breath back.