Back to Worship

Lately, I have been in absolute awe of God. Who He is? His character, His love, His majesty. You could say smitten by him. The other day I was supposed to be putting away laundry in the bedroom, a task I disdain, when suddenly God put a song in my heart I hadn’t heard for awhile.  The song is “Your Love is Extravagant” In that moment I stopped putting clothes away and looked the song up on my phone. I closed my eyes and started spending time with my Lord.  I was transported from my bedroom into Gods secret pavilion. God’s love and peace completely flooded me. Next thing I know my husband interrupts wondering what I was doing since it wasn’t laundry.  God knew though that it was exactly what I needed.

Recently it has felt like that intimacy was starting to go stale. I was still reading my bible, still very active in church and seeking God. I would go to church and sing the songs but something just wasn’t clicking. I wasn’t even aware this was a problem I was just going through the motions. That night God basically slow danced with me. He brought me back to the heart of worship; to that place of just “us”.  

Worship, true worship has been on my heart ever since. I don’t have to be at church to sing to the Lord. His word says He inhabits the praises of His people. (Psalm 22:3) its not just about singing a song. Praising God through song does something to your heart. The angels surround the throne singing “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God almighty” I could quote ample bible verses supporting this theory but the truth is you have to experience it for yourself to understand. There is no way to describe the feeling that comes over you, it’s supernatural. It’s spiritual.

I have a friend who would support me 100% on this. He was recently in a snowboarding accident which left him paralyzed from his waist down. He wrote describing the accident and what had happened.  He describes the sheer terror that came over him when he realized he couldn’t feel his legs. He frantically asked everyone that was surrounding him to pray. As he states, “All of a sudden my friends started worshiping. At that moment Jesus showed up and changed everything about how I was feeling” (V) basically he went from pure despair to peace because Jesus showed up.  Jesus inhabited the praises of His people. Wow, this is powerful stuff!! My friend is still paralyzed but He has a joy that no one person or circumstance can rob from him and he is still praising. 

And let us not forget it was when Paul and Silas were singing when the Lord brought forth an earthquake that freed them from the prison. (Acts 16:25-27) It was during worship the lord again showed up tremendously!

So, with this on my heart, I just want to pass on the message. I have been a Christian for awhile now and am just recently coming to see how powerful this tool is. When life is hard it is difficult to sing, but I challenge you to try it. God works in our hearts in amazing ways.  The next time you are struggling to find joy start singing. See what God can do through your praises. 

Your Love is Extravagant

Casting Crowns

Your love is extravagant
Your friendship, it is intimate
I feel like moving to the rhythm of Your grace
Your fragrance is intoxicating in our secret place
Your love is extravagant

Spread wide in the arms of Christ is the love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known You considered me a friend
Capture my heart again

Spread wide in the arms of Christ is the love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known; You considered me a friend

Capture my heart again
Your love is extravagant
Your friendship, it is intimate