Spirit & Truth: What God Is Really Looking For In Our Worship

A few weeks ago in a church staff meeting, our pastor asked me if I could share a message on worship with the church. I said yes, but honestly, I felt a little disappointed. I had been working on a different sermon for weeks — one I was really passionate about.

Now that I’m the worship leader at our church, it makes sense why he’d ask me to teach on that topic. But here’s the truth: I almost always feel disqualified when it comes to leading or teaching on worship.

In other areas of ministry or business, I feel confident. But in worship? I find myself comparing my gifts and talents — or lack of them — to others. I wonder if I can do it “as good” as other churches or worship leaders. I’m a very basic guitar player and singer with no professional music training. The one thing I do have is faith in God and a willingness to do what He asks me to do.

A Familiar Story, Seen in a New Way

When I sat down to prepare for my message, one story instantly came to mind: the encounter between Jesus and the woman at the well in John 4. It’s a well-known story — get it, “well” known? — but this time, something hit me that I had brushed past too quickly in the past.

Jesus asks the woman for a drink of water. Then He says, If you knew who I really was, you’d ask me for living water, and you’d never thirst again. Then He tells her, Go, call your husband.

She says she doesn’t have one. Jesus replies, You’re right. You’ve had five husbands, and the man you’re with now isn’t your husband. And just like that, she changes the subject: Let’s talk about where we should worship — here or there.

And then Jesus says something that stopped me in my tracks:

“The time is coming — and is now here — when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship Him that way.” (John 4:23)

Worship in Truth

That moment made me think: If God is looking for worshipers who worship in Spirit and Truth, shouldn’t we know what that means and how to do it?

It hit me that I’m not worshiping God in truth when I compare my abilities or feel inadequate. I was believing the lie that who I truly am is not good enough. I was disqualifying my worship based on skill or lack of skill.

Truth in worship is about honesty — being real with yourself and with God. He is the God of mercy, grace, forgiveness, and eternal life. He already knows us, and He loves us anyway.

Worship in Spirit

The Spirit is when the Holy Spirit ignites our heart with love that moves us toward God. It’s when we become sensitive to what the Spirit is doing in us and calling us to. Spirit means worship comes from the heart, stirred by Him — not just from a ritual, a location, or a tradition.

The Worshipers God is Looking For

If this is the kind of worshiper the Father is looking for, I want Him to find it in me. I want Him to find it in you. I want Him to find it in our church.

And here’s the question that’s been ringing in my heart ever since:

If God is looking for true worshipers, will He find them here?