Confessions of a Hand Lifter in Praise

Yes, I confess it. I have become one of those persons who lift thier hands in praise during worship. Over a month ago I told my dad that I had something to confess and I knew he would be dissappointed in me (honestly, he would be...is, he dislikes that sort of thing, anything that shows emotion during church). He laughed because he knew it was true. If he was standing next to me in church he would be mortified and frustrated because I would be embarrassing him. Even just seeing strangers in church do it embarrasses him, and here I am his own daughter. So see my point? Yeah. It is a good thing we go to different churches in different towns so we can worship as we each feel led. This is how church should be. But I don't think we have to go to different churches to do it. Can't we do it and tolerate each other. I mean as long as we believe in the same God, Jesus, and stick to the word of God and fundamental beliefs? Yes.

I used to be very uncomfortable with outward displays of worship. I would sing quietly since I cannot carry a tune to save my life and stand stiff as a board ready for the music to finish, not even able to enjoy it. Well, I got tired of that. I also felt like I wasn't honoring God. I was caring more about what others might think, how I might look...than what God thought. I felt stiffled, chained and restricted. I wondered why I didn't hear from God (which I still struggle with, but have heard from him at times). I wanted joy in my worship and only freedom would allow me that.

Jesus died to give me freedom. If I bound myself with the chains of this world (which is something only we can do to ourselves...it is a choice we make)then what is that saying to the cost that Jesus paid to free me? It is a slap in his face, saying that what he did on that cross wasn't enough. He isn't enough. Others matter more than him. Wasn't that proving to be true in my life? Ouch! The truth hurts, but it is necessary for change, positive change!

I finally decided to learn the art of worshipping Him. And yes it is an art. It doesn't come easy to many of us. It is hard to let go of pride and fear, distractions and just pare the focus down to you and your savior. That is when you truly spend time with him and hear his voice, experience him in his glory and grace, gain the knowledge of how unconditionally you are loved. It is a peeling off of the world around us. It is a constant process for the world leaves its layer of film on us. Allow the Holy one to cleanse you. Feel the freedom. It is empowering.

It reminds me of how King David danced and sang in the streets in jubilation praising God. He didn't care what others thought. His own wife ridiculed him for this because she was embarrassed by it. But David pleased God, not his wife (and yes she was stricken barren for this). Let's focus on pleasing God and not man. Learn the art of worship. Now you don't have to raise your hands and dance to do this. Just be free to worship as you feel led.

Galatians 1:10 "Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still pleasing men, I shold not be a servant of Christ Jesus."

2 Samuel 6:14-16 and 6:20-23 "And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the horn. As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart....And David returned to bless his household. But Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, 'How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants' maids, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!' And David said to Michal, 'It was before the Lord, who chose me above your father, and above all his house, to apoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the Lord---and I will make merry before the Lord. I will make myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in your eyes; but the maids of whom you have spoken, by them I shall be held in honor.' And Michanl the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death."