God took me (and my husband, Bless his heart) out of my comfort zone this past Sunday. I had met a girl and her two precious daughters at the Selah concert last week. She told me that if I love Praise and Worship music I should go to her church. Well, I woke up Sunday morning and decided to go down to Detroit.
We Praised and Worshiped for about an hour and a half. We sang, danced and shouted to the Lord. In the past I had heard one of my favorite Bible teachers talk about Praising God for answered prayer. She had talked about the way people can yell and cheer for a sports team, yet when it comes time to Praise God, we are quiet and ever- so proper. She encouraged us to give Him some real Praise! Well, let me just tell you that the members of the church we visited knew how to give Him some Praise! I felt like I was not only at the Superbowl Game, but my team had won... and they were the underdog! The band played, the choir sang and we danced and clapped our hands until they literally hurt.
Then I was convicted by God...
I am WAY more comfortable giving God my Prayer requests than I am Praising Him. Can you believe that? I was waiting anxiously for the message so I could get fed. It was all about me! I am embarrassed to even type this.
The message was unbelievable and I wrote notes like never before. The Pastor talked about our assignments (to turn people's heart toward Christ) and the fact that God, through the Holy Spirit will equip us with the power to make an impact on the world if we spend time with Him and have an intimate relationship with Him first. He also reminded me that my assignment starts in the home, with my husband. He told us to pray for supernatural power to love and serve our spouses.
We felt so welcome in their church! I almost cried when total strangers came up to us to hug us. I'll never forget the boy about 13 years old who stopped me to shake my hand as we walked out of the church. I had a lump in my throat and could hardly speak! God is being magnified in that Church and in those families!
I realized during the 3 hour service that God created us all different and loves us wherever we are. There is no right or wrong way to worship Him. Some feel more comfortable in the quietness and others have to jump up and down. I am thinking I am a bit more reserved and quiet. That's okay. I wonder how it will be when I see Jesus one day? Will I be able to speak at all? I can't imagine not needing Prayer requests anymore... just worshiping Him. I better start living a life of gratitude today!
Thanks for listening!
Love,
Angie xoxo
15 comments:
I think you are right, friend. Since God made us all in different ways, we choose to worship in different ways. And I think that is as it should be. Besides...He is really looking at our hearts anyway.
I alwys enjoy visiting different churches and seeing different types of worship...it broadens my outlook and reminds me that other people express their feelings as they feel led, just as I do.
Our family used to go to a church that was that loving and friendly. Then God moved us and I feel as thou I am dying on the vine.
I am also more on the quiet side yet I miss the hugs and the love we used to have.
Oh how I wish there was some happy medium. But I know God is doing something?!?!
Have a beautifully blessed day.
Cindy
What a wonderful worship experience. You are so right... we are all different and we worship God differently as well.
Your comment "it was all about me" struck me because I think it's easy for that to happen sometimes. We want to be fed, but we got to church with an inward glance. What I have learned is that worship is for us, but not about us! It's about our triune God!
Praising Him today for your experience and how He spoke to you!
Love,
K
"There is no right or wrong way to worship Him. Some feel more comfortable in the quietness and others have to jump up and down."
AMEN sister
Love you
lori
You are such a blessing to me! Praying for you...with love!
You know, I'd never really thought about the fact that prayer requests won't be a part of my relationship with Jesus in heaven. We really DO need to get more comfortable getting our praise on, don't we?
Hugs,
Melinda
Girl, I just love your heart (and your honesty!)
love you,
karen
I think that when you see Him you will be speechless at first and then jump for joy.
Hi Ang..
I remember when we were stationed in the Army in Germany. I found the most loving group of believers who truly showed me the same experience. I was also reserved and thought I had to be that during worship as well. But there were times where where the worship was so powerful the people were already coming up to the front of the church crying and joyfully wanting to give their hearts over to the Lord even before the sermon started. I will never forget that time in my life. Worship went out before the battle and that says a whole lot right there. Thanks for sharing this post today, brought back some really joyful moments for me.
Here in Hawaii, one is welcomed with a warm hug of Aloha at church, not just when you are a visitor. but each time we see one another even outside of church. That is why I love giving cyber hugz, it's just the Aloha spirit of the Lord in me
*smile*.
Luv ya Lorie
All that time we spend now worrying what is right. Won't it be a sweet reunion, no matter what, when all comfort zones are free, all hearts in unity worshipping Him. I like to worship many ways but I know that uncomfortable feeling also. One Day...Love you, Annette
stepping out of comfort zones--it seems to me God has moving on the hearts of His people to get out of comfort zones lately, including me--to set aside what is familiar and explore the unknown.
Lots of love!
Such a powerful post sweet sister. Won't it be great as we worship in heaven and it's really all about Him!
Angie-Great post!!!! I am thankful that you got out of the box we often get into. I am with you, a bit more reserved, but praising Jesus...well, that is definitely something to be EXCITED about! Thanks for sharing!
I love the fall leaves!
angie you cut me to the quick. ouch. i admit i am an inhibited worshiper. inside my head my arms are stretched to the sky, i'm on my knees, i'm swirling around but i'm really just standing still.
what an awesome body of believers you met!!!
great post! hugs, janel
So beautiful Angie. I'm so glad you had that time to worship. Hope you had a wonderful Sunday today.
Hugs,
Fran
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