Worship

Last night I had a chance to listen to Warren's message. As is my custom for blogging I like to follow up on the Sunday's message with how I am applying it to my life. As it turns out I am going to focus on a minor point (though an important one) of his message to connect to TW's message a couple of weeks ago. What you will read below is a post I began that week but never finished.

As I listened to Warren give testimony to his experience stepping into the worship of God at a Sovereign Grace church, it reminded me of TW's message. He mentioned how hard it was for him to make the stylistic switch to newer music. Over the next couple of days, I want to add to Warren’s testimony my own experience, and then share with you something that I have never done or plan to do again. Please read on as I give you my musings from two weeks ago:

A week ago my husband, Tim, gave us an inside peek into his devotional time in his FreeTruth post. This was an unusual thing for Tim to do but many were blessed and helped by it. Today and tomorrow I am doing something similar. I am going to share how I worship and how the Lord has graciously led me into this.

I do not do this to draw attention to myself. I do not do this so others will think (erroneously) how great I am, or what a spiritual person I am (again--erroneously), or what a great worshiper I am (again--erroneously). I fear my God who judges every thought and intention of my heart. I dare not try to pull a fast one and try to photo-edit an image of myself that is far more flattering than I really am. Also, I want to be sure to add that I am not writing this to place judgment on those that struggle with these things. I am simply desiring to serve you as you consider how to apply TW's message.

 
I know many who relate to Warren's initial struggle to worship God with music that has the kind of rhythm that promotes clapping, dancing, and even the joyful shouting which the God’s word speaks of. I am thankful for those among us who though they struggle as Warren did, still come. Thank you.

It is important to say before anything else that our worship is all about God, the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is only by His amazing grace that we live and breathe. It is only by His extreme love that we have been given hearts to love and worship Him. Our sins have been forgiven!! Christ took the penalty for our sin upon Himself!! When we worship, we worship with the righteousness of Christ: “we come with your righteousness on, our humble offerings to bring” (A Debtor to Mercy from the album Upward).  It is only through the activity of the Holy Spirit that we have hearts that desire to worship!! It is all about Him!!

But there's more: we have also been given freedom to gather to worship; we have been given a building to worship in; we have pastors and musicians and other believers to lead us and to share in this experience. We are very blessed women indeed.

When we gather to worship we are telling God we love Him, and we are telling those around us we love Him. I remember many years ago having a conversation with a dear friend about my experience of worship, in which I said, "There has to be more!" I was referring to the experience of what felt to me like "going through the motions." At that time it was: stand (very still), sing, pray, sit. Stand, sing, sit. Offering, stand and sing, pray. Now, that may be fine and very joy-giving for some but for me I felt like there had to be more. It wasn't that I was looking for an "experience;" I was looking for a way to release what was in my heart for God. I felt constricted.

Then our church was introduced to some Messianic Christian music (Up To Zion). In this I found a way to worship God with my mind, soul and strength. The clapping, the cheering, and the dancing released my long pent up emotion over the work of Christ on the cross for me.

Worship was no longer (to my ears and heart) just a sober and subdued reflection but a celebration. Christ did it all! I don't need to do a thing! It is finished! I am forgiven! I wanted to celebrate!!

After finding a treasure in those Messianic songs, we found more treasure!! I remember singing a medley, "Under the Blood" by Integrity Music. What I had long felt in my heart, was now given to me to sing by a skillful songwriter. How could he have known my heart?? My joy was expressed in a singable and danceable melody and to this day I get a bounce in my step whenever that medley comes to mind.

Then someone in the church discovered Sovereign Grace Music (PDI at the time). Here like never before (in my experience) was a combination of Christ-exalting lyrics and music that allows for physical expression in worship. What a gift!

When I am given a gift I give thanks for it and I use it. So, tomorrow I will share with you how I use the gift of celebratory worship music to move me closer into an intimate connection with Jesus, my Savior and King, and the Lover of my Soul..