I Want to Dance

Lexi, my 2-year-old granddaughter, had a seriously bad case of the flu this week. For three days she did not eat, she barely allowed a sip of liquid between her lips and she remained on the couch not able to do a thing. Elliot and Kate were naturally very concerned and stayed in close communication with their doctor. On the fourth day the doctor advised taking her to the hospital. She was given medication to treat the nausea and sent home. Elliot and Kate knew she was feeling better the next morning when the first thing she said as her feet hit the floor was, "I want to dance!"

Today as I share with you some of what I find helpful for worship may I suggest we have the same enthusiasm as Lexi? I realize you may not be ready to dance but if you are reading today's post you probably have at least a spark of desire to grow in your worship of God. I appreciate that.

The first thing we have to remember is that we cannot whoop up that enthusiasm in the car on the way to church. In order to fully enter into worship on Sunday, we need to be living Coram Deo (in God's presence) during the week. We need to be experiencing the joy of our salvation, and the wonder of His grace every day in order to wake up on a Sunday saying, “I want to dance!” But, even if that is not the case, even if we've had a week that has been stained with sin, or in the press of life you have failed to commune with God, there is mercy and grace through the cross. That by itself could open a floodgate of emotion!!

I offer the following only as suggestions. No law here. Many of you may not yet be ready for this. That is OK, so long as you keep your heart open to God's will revealed in His Word, and cultivate a willingness to grow. Wherever you are in your worship of God, give it your whole heart to the glory of God.

I think I have it a bit easier than most folks because I sit in the front row where the distractions are fewer. But distractions are used by the enemy no matter where we sit. Even though I am in the front where I cannot see much of what is going on behind me, I can be distracted by wondering what others will be thinking of me. So, before anything begins I cry out to God to help me to stay focused on Him who gave me a heart to worship in the first place.

When the music begins I close my eyes as much as is possible. This helps with my fear of man issues. But this is only possible if I know the words to the lyrics. If I do not know the them, I fix my eyes on the words and my heart on the Savior.

Going from toe-tapping to hand-clapping can be a big leap for some. I started timidly. I tapped my leg. I clapped with hands down low. It wasn’t long as I focused on the truth being sung, as I was overwhelmed by God's love poured out for me on the cross, and as I sang of His kindness and grace, I found within my being the physical connecting to my spirit and I was set free.

When a song speaks of offering praise, or offering my life in devotion to Him, I lift my hands with palms held up as if to show God that I am coming to him with a gift; a gift that He gave to me in the first place.

When a song speaks of God's rule, or gives Him praise as in: "Hallelujah, What a Savior", my hands turn upward as one does for greeting, or cheering an important person. (You may be more comfortable letting your hand only go as high as your shoulder but watch out, it may not be long before you wish your hands were high enough to reach through the ceiling, beyond the clouds into the very presence of God.)

When a song speaks of receiving something from God (“You give and take away, You give and take away”) I lift my hands above my head with palms facing each other with my face toward the sky as if to literally receive His blessing as it falls into my arms.

When a song speaks of bowing in His presence I like to bow my head, or I bow from the waist. It is difficult to sing while lying prostrate on the floor, or kneeling at my chair. Not impossible, but difficult I will admit.

During prayer, occasionally my heart may tell me to bow. This is when it is easier to lie prostrate in the aisle, or kneel by my chair. Here again, I have to remind myself to focus on God, not on others.

Sisters, we are told to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our mind and with all our strength. We are body, mind and spirit. I think in our church we've always done well in worshiping God with our mind and in our hearts. But I believe the Lord is showing us that He wants our whole person, body and spirit as well as mind and heart to be engaged in worshiping Him.

We read in scripture that Jesus received people's physical expressions of worship. He let Mary wash his feet with her tears. He allowed for Hosannas to be given, with palm branches being waved. I cannot imagine this being done with no jumping or shouting. Jesus could have shut down all the excitement. He could have said, "Be still! I do not approve of such expressiveness," but He did not. He let the people respond physically to their emotional connection with Him.

I often hear people say that women are emotional beings. I believe that to be true. I also believe men are emotional beings. That is how we were created. It occurred to me years ago how I would get excited about good news, an athletic victory, and seeing someone I love. But when it came time for me to worship my Savior my emotions were left outside the church building. As TW showed us from scripture, David danced in the very presence of God without a veil between him and the Ark of the Covenant. Now, through the work of Christ on the Cross, I have been given access to God. I am told to come boldly, but only through Jesus.

I hope and pray that my testimony might help you, my sisters, to find your way into more of the kind of worship God calls us to – even if it is with a joyful toe-tapping. It will be for the strengthening of your soul and for your joy in Christ. May this encourage you the next time you prepare to meet Him in our gathering of believers. And please remember, we'll never worship perfectly until we worship in heaven. But the One we worship is perfect. All glory be to Him!