As I get older, I have moments when I begin to realize that it's time to grow. Does anyone else have these moments? It's like a switch in my heart and my head that lights up and says "Ally, I think you need to mature here". I think that everyone has this little voice, but perhaps not everyone allows the volume of this voice to be turned up loud enough to hear. I get it, this voice can be a pain in the butt--a real annoyance when you don't particularly feel like you want to listen to it. That's because growing and making changes is hard.
There are many areas that everyone may have a hard time allowing themselves to grow in, however, in this particular post I want to address growth in the area of worship. I'm addressing this because lately, this is the growth switch that has lit up in me.
For the past 3 or so years, I have been a part of my church's worship team. I have gotten up on a stage and allowed myself to sing "Jesus" music in front of family, friends, and strangers. This is a feat in itself--letting other people know that I love Jesus enough to sing about Him in front of everyone. It's a bit like public speaking...but after three years I have begun to think, or rather hear the little voice, and it's been saying "there's more".
I go to an Assemblies of God church--I have my whole life and I still get weirded out when people start raising their hands in the air. It scares me and it even embarrasses me sometimes. Lately, however, I've begun to realize that I'm upset with my discomfort. I want this abandon that people have when they worship--there has to be a reason why people do this---a special place they go when they close their eyes and raise their hands.
I believe that this voice in my heart and head telling me to grow is God. And as I have listened to His reason on why I should grow in worship, this is what I've learned.
Worship Is This:
Worship is OBEDIENCE
Worship is DESIRE
Worship is TRUST
Worship Is Scary:
To obey is to give power
To desire is to crave connection
To trust is to believe you won’t be let down
How Do We Get Over Our Fears?:
Think of Peter when he met Jesus on the water. Peter desired to be with Jesus, so without a thought, he ran out onto the water--he trusted that Jesus wouldn't let him sink. And by keeping his head up and his eyes only on Jesus he was able to receive Jesus's power to walk beside him in a place that is normally humanly impossible. In order for us to receive Jesus's power and make a connection with Him like Peter did, we must desire God in the same way. We must trust that God won’t let us sink. We must obey God by keeping our eyes on Him and not our own feet.
That’s Why Worship Looks Like This:
Abandonment of self...reaching out for God...Hands raised. Closed eyes...God is more than what we physically see. And allowing ourselves to physically open ourselves up to receive the Holy Spirit, because it is through Him that we connect with Jesus and feel His love and His power.
Yes, worship is scary, but it is worth forcing yourself to grow in. Worship is a rich encounter and deepening of your relationship with God.
Worship isn’t about anyone around you. It’s about your connection with God.
Peter's Story can be found here:
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