Worship

That word can strike terror in the hearts of some. I was raised in conservative churches, where the lifting of hands was reserved for 'the church down the road'. I was coming of age during the Jesus Movement of the 70's, you know the 'saved hippies', who came to church with long hair, and would sometimes actually move when they sang, with eyes closed, and hands raised. A little to weird for our blood. How silly that thinking is now.

I'm a hand raiser these days. The church I attend have some hand raisers, but not many, so I sometimes am overly conscience of it, afraid I might make the person next to me uncomfortable. I don't want to, I want to help others worship, not hinder.

I was reminded today, that worship isn't just singing with hands raised. It is so much more, so many different aspects. Singing, prayer, conversation, all forms of worship, all things I am to be involved in, daily, for myself as well as for the sake of others.

1 Chronicles 16. 8-36 is a great passage. As I read it this morning I was struck by the verbs used in the passage, reminding me how active my worship to the Lord is to be. 'give thanks...call upon His name...make known His deeds...sing to Him...glory in His name...seek the Lord...remember His wonderful deeds...remember His covenant...proclaim good tidings...ascribe to the Lord...worship the Lord...tremble before Him...

Active, full, vibrant worship, alone or with others; it is necessary, it is needed, it is good! I am not saying you must raise your hands, close your eyes or doing anything in order to truly worship the Lord, what I am saying is, worship Him, in spirit and in truth. It is vital for our well being to worship. It opens up the floodgates of God's mercy and grace, His very presence. It is a privilege we have been given because we are sealed by the Holy Spirit. Besides, we might as well get in the habit of it now, as we will be worshipping in Christ's presence for eternity. And that amazes and whelms me!