Worship is love on it's knees before the beloved; just as mission is love on it's feet to serve the beloved

Worship is love on it's knees before the beloved; just as mission is love on it's feet to serve the beloved

In the context of N.T. Wright, a prominent theologian and scholar, the statement "Worship is love on its knees before the beloved; just as mission is love on its feet to serve the beloved" takes on a profound and transformative meaning. Wright's work often emphasizes the interconnectedness of worship and mission in the life of a believer, highlighting the essential role that both play in expressing and embodying the love of God in the world.

For Wright, worship is not simply a ritual or a set of practices, but a deeply relational act of love and devotion towards God. It is a posture of humility and surrender, where the believer acknowledges their dependence on and adoration of the divine. By bowing down before the beloved, the worshipper expresses their love and reverence for God, recognizing His worthiness and sovereignty. In this sense, worship becomes a transformative experience that shapes the heart and mind of the believer, drawing them closer to the source of all love and goodness.

At the same time, Wright emphasizes that worship is intimately connected to mission, the outward expression of love in action. Just as worship is an act of love on its knees, mission is love on its feet, actively engaging with and serving the beloved in the world. Through acts of compassion, justice, and reconciliation, believers participate in God's mission of bringing healing and restoration to a broken and hurting world. Mission is not just a duty or obligation, but a natural outflow of the love that has been received in worship, a response to the grace and mercy that has been poured out.