My purpose here is not to "water down" these expressions of faith, but to showcase their presence in the consciousness of all humanity.  I do this because I believe that religious communities have unfairly set the bar too high. As a result, this diminishes the spirituality of those who don't express themselves in exactly the same way.

You might be tempted to think that worship is something that is only for those who are really religious. If you haven't bowed down, or knelt or raised your hands in song with a specific focus on God then you might conclude that you don't worship. This is not the case.

Worship is not a consumable which requires an audience to go to a church, temple, or masque in order to experience. The new definition is that worship is the consummation (point at which something is complete or finalized) of enjoyment.

Think about how radical this definition is by comparison to a common definition. The old definition requires attendance to a service, or playing specific music, or reading sacred text. The new definition requires us to be conscious and purposeful of that which we enjoy.

When we see a great movie, it becomes worship when you share it with others. Anything we celebrate, we worship.

Worship requires both a subject and an object. We worship all kinds of things. Sports figures, movie stars, material possessions, relationships, careers. Worship is an aspect of humanity, not of religion.

This has caused many religious people to view worship of anything other than God as idolatry. This is certainly the biblical definition (Deuteronomy 5:7). The problem is that just being in a worship service does not make one a worshipper of God. Solomon said that it is better to draw near and listen than to offer the sacrifice of fools (Ecclesiastes 5:1).

In other words, going through the motions is about the worst thing you can do.  On the other hand, if you are completely sincere in your heart and mind, even if you doubt, is more honoring to God and yourself than pretense.  If being in nature causes you to feel closer to God than being in church, then why would you not be fishing or biking or hiking?. (I know that most pastors will argue with me on that point for obvious reasons). 

You see, in those moments of transcendence, you are completing your enjoyment, and celebrating, worshiping. You are not worshipping the outdoors, you are connecting in a meaningful way to your maker and it is pure and sincere. God is the thing behind all things. If you get that you will never make an idol of anything.

God is not some megalomaniac who orders us to worship him/her. It is enough for you to have a sincere, honest, spiritual experience. This may come via contact with his creation or with others or inside your own thinking. Just humbly receive it and be glad for it. Nothing more, nothing less. He/she knows that true worshippers do so in spirit and in truth (John 5:24). This means worship is about "being" not "doing".

Don't let a chord progression convince you that you have something that others don't. Don't let anyone tell you that enjoying the transcendent in your own way is not good enough. Just take what you have and go deeper, further. Just follow it in faith- It worked for Jacob, it will work for you (Genesis 28:20-21). Look around this week at all the things that we enjoy. And then bring the joy to consummation by sharing it with someone.

Try this. When you are enjoying something, nod your head ever so slightly. Simply acknowledge being in joy right now. Do that with a thankful heart and watch what happens. Three years ago I traded a pew/pulpit for a bicycle saddle and I haven't regretted a single day since.