We live in The Therapeutic Age, an era marked by a fixation on social, emotional, and psychic well-adjustment, often in that order. Self-improvement is the special-of-the-day. We worship a therapeutic God, reformed into an image of ourselves, and we lap up “tips to a better you” like a deer pants in the desert. The consequences for this fixation are myriad and I suppose I’ll try to thumb-war this therapeutic age at some point, but today’s post is unashamedly therapeutic. Today, I join all those millions of others who offer “tips to making 2014 your best year EVER!” I gladly stole this little gem from J.I. Packer.
Tip: practice doxology.
A “doxology” is a short song of praise.
And “practice” means intentional repetition.
The most common doxology is, of course, The Doxology, but don’t limit your imagination to The Doxology when practicing. Any short and direct song of praise to God is a doxology. The church has a rich storehouse of these, if you’re stumped, but you can make it up as well.
Sound childish? It is. One of the best traits children have is the desire to sing…all of the time. Have you heard a child singing a made up song to God lately? Imitate him. He’s practicing doxology.
God doesn’t need our praise, but he asks us to praise him because he knows that practicing doxology is important for us.
It does three important things:
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Practicing doxology cleanses us from the black bile called pride. It forces us out of the prison of our tiny little selves and into the open sunshine of God’s face.
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Practicing doxology shapes us into the likeness of Christ. We become more and more like little Christs, whose life was and still is a praise to God, the Father.
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Practicing doxology not only shapes us, but it also has a shaping affect on others. Our practice draws others out of themselves.
And that, in short, is one of the best tips to a better you. Want “your best year ever”?
Be intentional. Practice.
Praise God more.
After all, we’re practicing for eternity where doxology will be the air we breath.
Can’t wait.
During a recent crisp, winter morning walk (when it was too icy to ride my bike), I actually did sing “THEE Doxology” repeatedly until reaching my destination. Although I have heard/sung it by rote all my life, I actually had to THINK to get all the words and commas right (Praise God…? Praise Him…? Praise Him…who?). The heart-felt song of praise has continued to be in my mind and on my lips as I putter around doing my daily “duties” (1/12). It has, indeed, been very therapeutic! Thanks, Ben!