Day 13: Worship That Pleases God
Point to Ponder: God wants all of me.
Verse to Remember: Mark 12:30 (NIV)
Question to Consider: Which is more pleasing to God right now – my public worship or my private worship? What will I do about this?
I would have to say that my private worship is more pleasing to God… but I think the true answer should be that they are both pleasing to him. Too often I find myself worrying about my singing voice and what people think. I once had a guy turn around after a Friday night worship service and say that my voice was the sweetest thing he’d heard in a long time. How’s that for assisting in the formation of a REALLY BIG HEAD??? My mind wanders all over the paddock during worship like a sheep looking to graze. I get distracted easily. The woman two rows ahead of me who has both her arms raised and I can see the hole under her arm? The way the guy on the bongos is playing. The little kid that is laying down in the front row on the other side of the aisle. What I have to do after church. Sunday is not always a true time of worship for me and I’m done feeling guilty about my wandering mind.
Warren raised three points that stand out for me:
- “Today many equate being emotionally moved by music as being moved by the Spirit, but these are not the same. Real worship happens when your spirit responds to God, not to some musical tone. In fact, some sentimental, introspective songs hinder worship because they take the spotlight off God and focus on your feelings. Your biggest distraction in worship is yourself (emphasis mine) – your interests and your worries over what others are thinking about you. (pg. 102)
- The best style of worship is the one that most authentically represents your love for God, based on the background and personality God gave you. (God did not give me a hymn-lovin’ gospel-music-appreciatin’ personality). (pg. 102)
- “There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to worship and friendship with God. One thing is certain: You don’t bring glory to God by trying to be someone he never intended you to be. God wants you to be yourself.” (pg. 104)
Bipolar Girl needs balance in her worship. My life has been so out of balance… and that has made me question the validity of my faith at times. I’ve wondered at times if some aspects of my religious walk have actually been manifestations of my mental illness. I cautiously approach “words” that I “get” from the Lord and don’t assume that every dream I have is from on high…. But I also don’t want to be really staid and emotionless in my approach to God. That is not the way that I’m wired. I have a lot of talents to use in worship that I don’t use in front of people because I’m overly concerned about what people think… so I know that my private worship pleases God more. I wish I could unbend and not care.... but I think the focus for this question shouldn’t be on either/or. I am worshipping God, both in public and in private because I love God. I think that counts more with him than anything else.
remembering that it's more than the song .. and it's more than about the song ...
"I bring you more than a song for a song in itself is not what you have required...."
That's so hard to remember isn't it? Even if your voice isn't doing what YOU want it to... if you're singing for Him... then he will see that. That's so hard to live by for me because I have a great voice when I sing by myself but I never learned to play well with others. My singing voice sounds like crap when I try to sing in large groups so I sometimes find myself just mouthing the words... and who's that for? Being comfortable making "a joyful noise" (emphasis on the word "noise") isn't where I'm at... doesn't sound like you're there either. Nice to know I'm not the only person who feels this way!
Thanks for stopping in and commenting on my blog. The question now is... how do we achieve that balance??????