How do you express your praise and adoration to God? The God of creation, God of all generations, God of all nations?
Growing up in the contemporary service from a mix of traditional and charismatic churches, I am comfortable standing and lifting my hands as i sing praise and worship songs. On the contrary, i find it a tat uncomfortable when i am in services where the congregation stands arms-folded, lips sealed, staring at the worship leader. Well, i have heard defending arguments that everyone worships in different manners and some just prefer to be silent or are shy in expressing themselves in a manner which differs from the neighbour beside them. Surely, we are all different. But i find it most strange how many wouldn’t be shy screaming at some pop idol, but are reserved when it comes to worshipping the King of Kings.
Well, this is not an article to judge but to share some recent experiences and reflections.
Ps 96: 9 - 13 tells us to worship the Lord. It says the heavens rejoice, the earth be glad, the sea resound, the fields be jubilant and the forest will sing for joy. If even creation with no lips would sing for joy, what more the created with lips? I thank God for my mind, mouth, tongue, hands, etc. which allows me to choose whether or not to praise God, and how i can express my adoration to Him. I think it is a powerful experience when we choose to worship wholeheartedly, and it is an amazing process when we do so with a like-minded community of believers.
Last week, Tim Hughes and Planetshakers were in town. Unfortunately, i was only able to attend the last hour of the worship concert on Friday. Nevertheless, i was glad i made it there to witness and join thousands of Singaporeans pour out their praise to Jesus with all their hearts, minds and strength. Around me, people of all shapes and sizes (young, old, male, female, etc.) were singing aloud, jumping and shouting for joy, lifting their hands and completely soaking in the presence of God. Yes, you have to be there to understand what i mean, it was impossible to miss God’s presence! For me, it was an intimate encounter with our awesome God and i look forward to the day when together with all tribes and tongues, we will proclaim His glory!
Perhaps some may dismiss an experience like this as “emotional”, “sensational” and wonder if it were truly God in the house. But for me, I must testify what i’ve experienced, that God is real and His presence was so strong in the midst of the worship as He touched me and stirred my heart to love and fear Him.
This experience has encouraged me, once again, to give my all to Him when i sing songs of praise and thanksgiving. I pray that He will continually teach me to worship Him in Spirit and in truth. May we never forget that our worship is to an audience of ONE - the majesty, the King of glory.
