I’ve always been an introvert, and this has carried over to my faith practice. If I’m being totally honest, I used to think that those who jam out in praise and worship were kind of strange, and then I grew to envy them. I thought I was fine just standing and singing, feeling the Holy Spirit on the inside of me. Then, I joined Victory Family Church in Norman, Oklahoma. You can find their Youtube page linked HERE and you should absolutely check them out!
Victory leads praise and worship at the beginning and end of every sermon. You can literally feel the Holy Spirit fill the room. People lift their hands, sing loud, and dance along to the music. This caused me to feel self-conscious. Partially because I’m pretty tone deaf and had developed a habit of singing softly or mouthing the words I’ve known since childhood. Partially because my introverted tendencies came back after watching church from my living room for so long. We have FUN worshipping at Victory, and I found myself wanting to loosen up. Then, I heard the sermon that changed my perspective…
Lifepoint Church in Clarksville, Tennessee is the church that I’ve watched from my living room ever since my husband introduced me. I could write a whole post on Pastor Mike’s preaching alone – he has worked to grow his God-given talent in preaching the gospel and it shows. Pastor Mike has a way of digging into the word and applying it to both experienced Christians and those new to faith. You will always learn something by listening to his teachings, and he always manages to throw humor into it as well.
Anyway, you can find Lifepoint Church HERE and see for yourself. As a side note to one of his fantastic sermons, Pastor Mike talks about why we lift our hands and praise. I learned that it isn’t just a feeling – rather it is a joy, an admiration, and acknowledgement of God’s love over us. Picture someone you care about giving you a great gift. Would you stand there soberly and say “thank you so much, I love it” in a timid and quiet tone? No way – you would SOUND excited, you would SHOW excitement, and you would make sure they knew. So, how about God? How about the gift of Jesus? Don’t be shy about thanking Him, and certainly don’t be self-conscious and quiet.
Fast forward a week from that sermon. I’m singing along in church when Way-Maker comes on. My little niece (5, going on 15) is standing on a chair beside me because she’s too small to see otherwise. The lyrics to the chorus kick on and I hear her little voice belting out
“Way-Maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the Darkness, my God, that is who you are.. That is who you are.”
I look over, and my little niece has both hands up in the air, eyes closed, whole body swaying to the music. I was completely overwhelmed. Something about the voice of a child rising above all others to praise the God she knows was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever witnessed. That was joy this holiday season. Soon after, as we were all singing “Joy to the World” I noticed a young mom with a newborn strapped to her chest, swaying and singing as she rubbed her baby’s back. Is there anything more joyful than children being raised to praise God?
My point is this: Don’t be self-conscious – that is nothing more than a trick of man to keep you from showing pure joy. Raise your hands and PRAISE! If you feel it, show it. Thank God for every blessing he has given.