God’s works have allowed us to discover the person of God. His reputation precedes Him to the point that, having understood who God is, it is no longer His works that truly attract us, but it is the person we have discovered that becomes the object of our appreciation, our worship.

Worship is based on a relationship of our love for God. A relationship has been built; we have discovered who we are dealing with, we have intimacy with Him. We consider Him as He is without praise, for we know Him. In truth, worship is an expression of love; when we worship, we say, “I love you.”

Worship is not about appreciating the works; worship is about loving the author.

Worship leads us to consider God for who He is even when nothing is happening in our lives. We do not forget what He is to the point that we remain in total trust in His person regardless of the circumstances.

This is expressed through words, inner attitude, and lifestyle. Love is seen in daily life. Thus, loving is conjugated with other verbs, notably cherishing, caring.

Worship is living with a life of faithfulness to God. When we live another life with other gods, it is called unfaithfulness or idolatry. In worship, there is a higher degree called consecration. It is when we give ourselves to God.

Worship speaks of God. The highest declaration is giving one’s life, and this is how Christ tells us:

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13), and Paul adds, saying:

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1).

That’s worship.

Worship is giving and surrendering. It is also setting aside words to offer oneself as a sacrifice. And it is in consecration that we speak to God and no longer about God. Such are the declarations written in the consecration song that I invite you to meditate on and sing with an awareness of the thanksgiving that only God deserves.

Times to spend in intimacy

Stay by your side for eternity

Broken by the scriptures

Offering my life like a sacrifice

That’s my desire for your pleasure

That’s why I come Because I know how (I know how)

To attract your gaze Near me, Adonai, I know how (I know how)

To find time for you

Even in the midst of chaos

Because I have set aside all my words

To offer myself as a sacrifice

All to you, I give myself all to you

I give myself as a fragrance,

Lord I give myself as a fragrance for you

I give myself as a fragrance,

Lord I give myself as a fragrance for you

A fragrance that sings (that sings)

Fragrance that dances (a melodic fragrance)

A melodic fragrance

Flowing from all my being

Na mikabi, eh uh Na mikabi, eh uh uh uh

I give myself as a fragrance, Lord

I give myself as a fragrance for you

A fragrance that sings

Fragrance that dances

A melodic fragrance

Flowing from all my being

Chorus

Na mikabi, eh uh Na mikabi, eh uh

I give myself all to you, oh (na mikabi, eh uh)

I give myself away, eh

Zua nga, eh (zua nga)

Zua nga, eh (zua nga).

Lyrics from the song “Fragrance that Sings” by the group Worship the Eternal (GAEL) – Athom’s Mbuma.

This text is an excerpt from the book “ MATONDO: Living through Thanksgiving ” written by Authors Arlette Manegabe, Athom’s Mbuma, David Kajisu, Fifi Bilolo Tunasi, Grâce Tshiashala, Michael Tettey, Pasteur Lévi Kongolo Kazadi, Sissi Bogoli, Tracien Boma.