Sometimes we just need to clap, cheer, sing, stomp our feet and praise God in a not-so-traditional way. And by "not-so-traditional way", I mean opposite of what you usually do. In our church, most (not all) people (me included) stand there, sing and depending on the song, may clap. A lot of people don't. I stand in front of the congregation, helping to lead singing and sometimes wonder if these people ever are led by anything.
My dad will close his eyes when he wants to get to the meat of the song, or if it is his favorite song. One person in our group will at times, raise her hands toward heaven. I will sometimes clap. The clapping, hand waving, smiling, seems unnatural at church to some. We want to keep it reverent, quiet, subdued. What we sometimes fail to realize is that the Israelites didn't do that. They sang, danced, jumped, yelled and celebrated. Look at the things King David did. He danced before God, he led parades, he sang and played instruments. Did God accept him less because of this? No. He doesn't accept you less if you do what you feel comfortable with in praising and worshiping Him. So, don't feel bad if you are the only one in the group holding your hands heavenward, or clapping along with a peppy tune.
Psalm 47 would be a good peppy song. I can just hear (in my head) the song leader singing fast and hitting a tamborine in rhythm with this song.
1O clap your hands, all peoples;
Shout to God with the voice of joy.
2For the LORD Most High is to be feared,
A great King over all the earth.
3He subdues peoples under us
And nations under our feet.
4He chooses our inheritance for us,
The glory of Jacob whom He loves. Selah.
5God has ascended with a shout,
The LORD, with the sound of a trumpet.
6Sing praises to God, sing praises;
Sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7For God is the King of all the earth;
Sing praises with a skillful psalm.
8God reigns over the nations,
God sits on His holy throne.
9The princes of the people have assembled themselves as the people of the God of Abraham,
For the shields of the earth belong to God;
He is highly exalted.
I love this!!! I stood up and raised my hands all by myself this past Sunday! Thanks for this word of encouragement!!!
ReplyDeletewould that put some church members out if we took a tamborine into service and started shaking it all through the song part of worshiP??
ReplyDeleteGod is so powerful and so good to me. I can't help but be awe in His presence, whether it is driving down the road, on Sunday mornings in the sanctuary, or my bathtub.
ReplyDeleteTears come to my eyes when I start singing or hear others sing of His goodness. I don't really pay attention to others as I praise Him.
I probably did when I was younger and when I cared more about my "reputation".
Whatever, a person does to Praise the Lord - I can't help but join in!
He is so Worthy!
Blessings to you! You are loved!!!
Whenever our choir sings the Brooklyn Tab song "Total Praise"...I always find it amusing that on the line..."I lift my hands in total praise to you", not a single one of us is raising our hands! It's not the norm in our church, I guess. Sometimes I want to...but I admit I feel inhibited. I usually close my eyes.
ReplyDelete