Tiptoe or Dance?
As I pull open the door to the sanctuary each week, my eyes search immediately to see whether or not he’s playing that day: the man on the guitar, in the back. As I lack any musical ability whatsoever (someday I’ll recount my 7th grade choir audition for you), I don’t know the specific instrument he plays; I just know it’s in the guitar ‘family.’
We have a gifted, faithful and God-centered group of musicians who offer their time and talent back to the Lord each week. I regard them each highly. This man, however, stands out to me, despite the fact that he’s not ‘up front’ as one of the vocalists of the team.
You see, at any given point during the music, it is evident to me that he is utterly and unabashedly worshipping. He’s not leading song for the rest of us, he is worshipping. And it’s beautiful. His feet keep time in a march of praise. He doesn’t wear a mic, but he sings. He turns his body slightly off center, away from us, almost as if that physical act reminds him for Whom he plays: God alone. His eyes are often closed, but without any spiritual pretense. He seems oblivious to the presence of another person in the room, let alone many people, giving no attention to what others might think of him.
I find myself smiling as I watch. And then I find my eyes closed, too, losing all awareness of those around me, becoming solely focused on the recipient of my worship: Jesus. In short, this man’s act of worship invites my own. The authenticity of his offering ushers me into the Throne Room.
And David danced before the LORD with all his might.
— 2 Samuel 6:14
David, the King of Israel, celebrated the return of the Ark to Jerusalem with dancing. His wife, Michal, found it scandalous and undignified. He replied that God had appointed him as king, and that he would celebrate even if it made him contemptible in her sight. He cared solely for God’s pleasure, not the adulation of man (or, in this case, woman), and worshipped.
So, here’s the kicker: We are all meant to lead worship. Everyday. All the time. Are we living our lives in a way that invites others to join in our chorus of praise? Or do they smell pretense in our lives when spiritual jargon is held up against culture-conforming homogeny? Tiptoeing around the secular world trying to win souls to Christ by appearing ‘cool’ is ineffective, at best. But a heart ever-engaged in worship entreats others to do the same.
Forget tiptoeing. Let’s dance. Before the Lord. With all our might. God willing, when we open our eyes, we’ll find ourselves surrounded by others who have joined the song because we had the courage to do so.
Beautiful. You are such a talented writer. You make it seem effortless. Miss you.
Beautiful. You are such a talented writer. You make it seem effortless. Miss you.
Sometimes it is so hard (and uncomfortable) to stand out from the crowd. The Lord calls each of us to be true to Him (through obedience) and to ourselves (what he created us to be), and that can often be a hard “call” on our lives! How I pray I will be salt and light – without any second thought to the perception of others – in my worship of Him, and the way I live out the life he has given me.
Thanks for sharing a great message this week, Kirsten! God is blessing many through the words he gives you. Your writing is an act of worship!
Sometimes it is so hard (and uncomfortable) to stand out from the crowd. The Lord calls each of us to be true to Him (through obedience) and to ourselves (what he created us to be), and that can often be a hard “call” on our lives! How I pray I will be salt and light – without any second thought to the perception of others – in my worship of Him, and the way I live out the life he has given me.
Thanks for sharing a great message this week, Kirsten! God is blessing many through the words he gives you. Your writing is an act of worship!
Sometimes it is so hard (and uncomfortable) to stand out from the crowd. The Lord calls each of us to be true to Him (through obedience) and to ourselves (what he created us to be), and that can often be a hard “call” on our lives! How I pray I will be salt and light – without any second thought to the perception of others – in my worship of Him, and the way I live out the life he has given me.
Thanks for sharing a great message this week, Kirsten! God is blessing many through the words he gives you. Your writing is an act of worship!
Sometimes it is so hard (and uncomfortable) to stand out from the crowd. The Lord calls each of us to be true to Him (through obedience) and to ourselves (what he created us to be), and that can often be a hard “call” on our lives! How I pray I will be salt and light – without any second thought to the perception of others – in my worship of Him, and the way I live out the life he has given me.
Thanks for sharing a great message this week, Kirsten! God is blessing many through the words he gives you. Your writing is an act of worship!
So great. You could be talking about a man on our worship team, too – I do know he plays the bass guitar 😉 – watching him operate in his giftedness, quietly worshipping with such evident joy, “invites my own” worship, too. How cool.
Hmm… it’s not unlike reading your writing, Kirsten – love how you operate in your giftedness, too, to bring glory to God! 🙂
So great. You could be talking about a man on our worship team, too – I do know he plays the bass guitar 😉 – watching him operate in his giftedness, quietly worshipping with such evident joy, “invites my own” worship, too. How cool.
Hmm… it’s not unlike reading your writing, Kirsten – love how you operate in your giftedness, too, to bring glory to God! 🙂
So great. You could be talking about a man on our worship team, too – I do know he plays the bass guitar 😉 – watching him operate in his giftedness, quietly worshipping with such evident joy, “invites my own” worship, too. How cool.
Hmm… it’s not unlike reading your writing, Kirsten – love how you operate in your giftedness, too, to bring glory to God! 🙂
Beautiful post. It’s what worship truly is…an act of love and adoration exclusively for the Lord.
Oh, that we would all be as free as David to dance!
Beautiful post. It’s what worship truly is…an act of love and adoration exclusively for the Lord.
Oh, that we would all be as free as David to dance!
Beautiful post. It’s what worship truly is…an act of love and adoration exclusively for the Lord.
Oh, that we would all be as free as David to dance!