Have you ever simply watched other people worship? I know, I know—we don’t go to church for the purpose of watching others worship, but rather so that we, ourselves, can worship God. Sometimes, though, I just can’t help but “people watch” during the worship service. You see all kinds of things when you watch people during worship. Some folks look like they have just finished off a sour slice of lemon, while others appear to be looking straight into the face of Jesus. There are always a few people whose mouths never move during a praise and worship song. I’m never quite sure why they don’t sing praises to God, but one thing I know for sure—they will sing in heaven and so they might as well start practicing for that performance here on earth.
Let me tell you about someone who worships at my church (www.fbcvision.com) and he blesses my heart each time I watch him. Jimmy is a mentally challenged man whose family attends my church. His friendly, outgoing personality makes him a favorite among our congregation.
When the pastor preaches, Jimmy is quiet and attentive, although I’m uncertain how much he truly understands. Jimmy comes alive, however, when the music begins. It doesn’t matter what the song is, Jimmy directs the choir from his seat in the balcony and he does it in a big way. Jimmy is not embarrassed by his love of worship music and choir directing. The worship that Jimmy offers to God during the music flows from a pure heart. It is spontaneous and effusive and it blesses my socks off each Sunday morning.
I am reminded of King David’s spontaneous worship of God when he and the Israelites finally brought the ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. Samuel records this moment for us in 2 Samuel 6: 14, “David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.” The Hebrew word used in this verse for dance gives us an indication of the type of dance that David did. It means to dance, to whirl. David didn’t do a simple two-step. He whirled and jumped and danced. David rejoiced before the Lord in a major way.
This is Jimmy’s type of worship. This is the type of worship that we all need to experience once in a while. Worship–where we abandon worrying what others are going to think and are only concerned with what our heavenly Father thinks. Raising our hands to the Holy One or perhaps falling to our knees when the Spirit moves us. Worship that is sacrificial and pleasing to the One to whom it is due.
When is the last time that you worshiped Jesus with abandon? When is the last time that you were only concerned with pleasing the Father with your worship? Fragrant worship, worship meant only for the One who gave His life on Calvary for your sin. I’d suggest you try it here on this earth, for you surely will spend a lot of time doing it in heaven and you might as well be all practiced up!!!
