Lately, I have been thinking about how I worship the Lord. Mainly surrounding corporate worship. There have been times in my life where worship has been an ‘experience.’ First, let me explain that I grew up Pentecostal. Yes, this meant being slain in the spirit and dancing in the aisle. Now, not as crazy as some of the videos you would see posted on social media. But there was a thing that was called ‘The Holy Ghost Hop.’ Which was basically skipping in place. Silly, yes, but it was how I was taught that was acceptable.
Being Baptist now, I am far beyond that, and it seems that even raising your hand in worship is toeing the line. Some do it, but not all. For me, I find myself very reserved, and I am at a point in my life where I struggle with where I am with how I praise the Lord. And that in itself has made my relationship feel distant. But I need to understand that it is all about Him and not us. This breaks down to even the songs that are sung. Are we praising God, or are we praising ourselves? Next time you sing the words, listen to them… really listen. Who do they glorify? God or you.
Now, I’m not going to name songs or groups. But there are many out there that tend to put us at the center of the glorification. Many that I have sung and have loved over the years. Today, I have realized that I am grateful our worship leader has been Christ-centered enough not to include them in our celebration of God. Christ is the object of worship. Not our ability to do so. Finally, we never need to ask God to fill the place where we are with his presence… He already promises that wherever we are praising His name, there He is. Praise His holy name!!
“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” – Matthew 18:20
Photo by Karabo Mdluli on Unsplash
Moments for the Heart 