When we worship
I have learnt, overtime that worship is a discipline you develop until it becomes a habit, a lifestyle, something that flows out of you naturally. I believe we do not need to wait for a worship gathering to be in the mood to worship the Lord. Not only do I believe that; I know that.
Of course, every aspect of life should be an act of worship; but commonly speaking our 'sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of our lips' is one of our reasonable acts of worship. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, there is really no formula to worship.
When you sing to the Lord, its is practical to let it come out of the depths of your heart, and not make it a recital of songs and words. Often, I have seen that in worship, especially in a group, people respond differently. It is important we accept that. As a new believer, and having never been involved in church before, I was blown away by this man named Jesus Christ. At a time in my first church during worship, I suddenly laid prostate before the Lord. Immediately, I was lifted off the ground. I was well clothed so I was quite surprised with the sudden lift. Apparently, it was not allowed to prostrate before the Lord in that church. It was not a rule. It was a proper church that did not simply make a practice of prostrating.
Some people love to sit still and not open their lips at all. To the yet-to-mature worship leader, ‘This is a no-no, a disobedience to repeated commands to ‘Open your mouth and praise God’, or pride that needs to be dealt with; forgetting that some people worship God in their hearts like Hannah prayed in her heart and only her lips moved (1 Samuel 1:10-13). It is the work of the Spirit. When it comes time for them to burst out loudly, we must not restrict them either.
In the body of Christ, we must be discerning and make room for others to express themselves as they would before the Lord, sincerely and unfeigned. This expression may not always be what we are used to, how we do it, or what the church says must be done, but so long as it honors Jesus Christ, we must make room for self-expression in worship.
Anyone who knows me well will tell you, "She is a prayer mama". That means, when I pray, it's often loud, violent and fraught with screams, shouts and acrobatics. Much of my praying life, after I became a believer has been warfare from day one; so, understandably, the praying style I am known for is loud prayers. There came a season in my life, however, when in every public prayer, I prayed with hands at my back, pacing back and forth, head bowed, mouth shut.
The Spirit of God would not allow me to pray out loud. Yet, that season was the most effective communions I have had with the Lord in prayer. As I paced and prayed in my heart, the Lord spoke to me in that silence and instructed me on the next phase of life. Unknowing to me, one of my pastors had observed that change and was visibly worried. “Your fire is going down, girl”, He said. "You need to fire up again". I smiled. How was he to understand something he had not personally experienced even if I explained it. I simply said, “Yes Pastor”, and carried on.
There are those whose worship style is so loud it can be distracting. It can be distracting to those who choose to focus on the worshiper that the Worshiped. This is the reason the Body of Christ needs to grow to maturity. The Bible says that there are differences of administrations but it is the same God that works all in all through us (paraphrased).
Once upon a camp meeting, during the closing prayer, we were asked to join hands two-by-two and pray. Suddenly, I began to sob uncontrollably, collapsed to the floor and could not stop weeping. Neither could I explain to anyone what was happening to me. Being a camp meeting with several pastors, I was immediately shuffled to the back of the congregation and prayer was earnestly made for me. The pastor in charge of praying for me kept praying to God to forgive me my sins. I had sinned so well and the guilt was so terrible so I could not stop weeping. The more he prayed, the more I wept. After the prayers, he proceeded to investigate what terrible sins I had committed: had I aborted, stolen, killed or what? It was one terrifying experience to be interrogated for weeping during prayer. Later on, back at my local church, my pastor lovingly asked: what was all that about? Why were you weeping so much back there? Then I confessed . "That is one way I respond to the Holy spirit, Reverend. He was so much upon me, I could not help but weep". I could not explain that to everyone. My pastor understood.
Some people, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, fall, some laugh, some dance, some sing, and some weep. I wept. It is the Holy spirit who works in us both to will and to do according to His good pleasure. As we yield to Him, he will empower us as individuals and as a body to give him the praise due Him. He deserves it.
What am I driving at? In worship, worship! In congregational worship, worship! Worship as the Spirit leads. Do not stand around, looking to judge who worships right or who worships wrong. The Bible says to us not to judge anything before the time. It is God who looks at the heart and so lets leave Him to judge. How would you be in the presence of the Beloved Jesus and not gaze upon Him but instead be worried about who bows well, hollers wrong or doesn’t sing at all. Let’s leave that to Him and simply, Worship!
To more of Him….
Bertha Adwoa Koranteng is a lover of Jesus Christ, the Head Steward of the Victoriously Reigning Daily Bands Network (God's worship project); called to worship and intercession, her greatest joy and strength comes from fellowshipping with the Lord.