Today’s scripture: Psalm 95:1-7 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Julie Walsh):
In my relatively short lifetime, I have attended many worship services. I have been an observer in some, have shyly participated in others, and have even tried to resist the movement of God’s Spirit, at times.
I will always remember sitting in church as a teenager, watching people lift their hands in praise with passion and freedom. Even though I was often moved to do the same, I would stifle the Spirit that was moving within my soul and intentionally kept a “low profile” during worship.
I’m sure my subconscious conjured up reasons why I should remain emotionless and reserved. Perhaps others around me would think I was strange or even unauthentic. Maybe I was afraid to externally express my inner emotions in the presence of my mother, who was serving at the piano. Quite possibly, I thought one had to qualify as “more holy” in their daily life before expressing their feelings openly in service. Whatever it was, I made myself believe that appropriate worship should include no feelings or emotions. My perception of proper worship held me back from engaging in true worship.
True worship is what happens when you get in touch with God.
Over time, though, I’ve learned to step outside of my comfort zone and to allow myself to express my prayers, praise, and thanksgiving in outward display. Being vulnerable, for any of us, is a difficult task, but this is precisely what God desires of us!
Regardless of the worship style in which you were raised, there is always room to express yourself to God in different ways. What if you are in service on Sunday and the Spirit moves you to do something that is contrary to your typical worship pattern? To sing! To dance! To clap! To raise your hands! To shout, “Amen!” To pray in new ways! To be quiet! To listen more intently! Be open to the Spirit moving and worship God fully and unabashedly.
Thought for the day: Connect deeply with God by making yourself vulnerable to the Spirit’s movement!
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. Use the item above as a starting point, or consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.