I’ve been thinking on worship lately and how we (including myself) can respond better in worship to God, both privately as well as publicly in our times together on Sundays. I’ve been praying and reading some thoughts from others, and one picture that came out of this time of processing is something I’d describe as the “worship button.” There seem to be certain songs that, no matter how dead the atmosphere may be or how disengaged we might feel, when the chorus or bridge hits, it’s like a worship button is pressed—hands go up, people start singing louder, and our response to God is great. While this can be a powerful, meaningful time, it’s not the healthiest way to worship.
We are called to “enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise” (Psalm 100:4). It’s not healthy to stand in the presence of God, hands crossed, waiting on the worship leader to “press our button” by singing our favorite song. We have to mature and move past this infant stage in our worship, like a child waiting on his mother to feed him. We need to find our own worship button. We need to control these moments ourselves and not wait on the atmosphere to control it for us. When we enter into a time of worship together, if it’s not a song you particularly enjoy, begin to speak out your thanksgiving to God. Think on his goodness. Thank him for his grace in your life. Don’t rely on others for your praise.
Our worship must be a response to God, not a response to a song.
There’s no better time than this Sunday to put this into practice! Join Relevant this Sunday for what always proves to be a dynamic and meaningful time with God and with each other: our Night of Worship on August 30, at 6:00pm. It’s going to be a great evening of music, communion, and prayer! I hope to see you there…
