Last night, I went to the worship service held at my church. Two of my kids are a part of the worship team and they were both up there along with several others.
The night was beautiful.
We came together as one body, worshipping the One who gave it all; God’s presence was tangible. When worship was over, no one wanted to move. We remained in that posture for several minutes. My daughter broke out another song, one of my favorites -“I Love You Lord.” When the song came to an end, once again, no one wanted to move. The sweetness of God’s tangible presence filled the room. I could feel His peace like a warm blanket over me as I bowed in my chair — I could no longer stand. As I was quietly engaging with Him, in the stillness of the night, I found myself thanking Him for His presence and the knowing that when I get up to leave the room, He goes with me. I don’t have to leave that moment.
I woke up this morning as, I always do, before the sun and my family wake. I slipped into my office, lit my new candle from my oldest daughter, put on my worship station, and knelt before the throne.
As I was soaking in God’s presence, my mind began to flash beautiful memories of private worship over the years. Through the darkest seasons of my life, I would wake up and posture myself in my living room with a heart of praise, and His omnipresence would fill the room. This knowing that I don’t have to wait for a worship service to worship my God and lift His name above it all was my lifeline through many seasons.
In the highs and lows of life, my heart hungers to live in that posture of worship and praise, and He shows up with His peace and power!
When I’m washing dishes —
When I’m folding laundry —
While I’m driving in my car —
When I’m out on a run —
In the quiet of the morning when nobody is watching…
I worship Him.
Why am I sharing this?
Because I am so thankful I was taught, yes taught, that worship is not only that carved-out time in a church service — it’s a lifestyle.
God is not in a building; He is in us, and when we sync our hearts with His and lift Him up in honor and praise, we are posturing ourselves with all of Heaven as we sing, “Holy, holy, holy is His name.”
This is the invitation of the Father’s heart for all of His children.
I’ve been saddened over the last several years to hear pastors say during a worship service, “This is the only place we can experience God like this — when we come together as a community…”
Is community worship powerful?
Absolutely!
But you don’t have to wait for the perfect song or the rehearsed atmosphere to experience the power and presence of our God.
“Oh, so You’re a prophet! Well, tell me this: Our ancestors worshiped God at this mountain, but you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place for worship, right?”
“Believe me, woman, the time is coming when you Samaritans will worship the Father neither here at this mountain nor there in Jerusalem. You worship guessing in the dark; we Jews worship in the clear light of day. God’s way of salvation is made available through the Jews. But the time is coming—it has, in fact, come—when what you’re called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter. “It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before Him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship Him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.” -John 4:19-24 (MSG)
I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
-Psalm 34:1 (ESV)
