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WHY WORSHIP?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n By Sonya Camille<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s interesting to be as old as I am and having to admit that I knew very little about worship, but it’s true. I grew up in a Christian home and went to a Christian school most of my life, and sadly, I have to admit that I knew nothing about true worship until recently. While in college, I would witness students or staff lift their hands in worship during certain songs, and because of my upbringing, I automatically assumed they were one of “those” Christians. You know, the Holy-roller, show-boater type of carnal Christian that my church often talked about. I grew up in a highly legalistic Baptist church. Don’t get me wrong; I appreciate the Biblical knowledge acquired and the family-like relationships; however, the time spent unlearning most of the extreme legalism, self-righteousness, condemnation of others, and other nonsense honestly took time and tears. I find it amazing to see many church leaders from my childhood practicing, participating in, or condoning many things that were once frowned upon. The double standards are too many to list, and certainly nothing I care to discuss. But I am well aware that they exist-and, I certainly remember them all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So my church was one that the founding pastor proudly stated on many occasions that he came from a pentecostal background, and he wanted nothing to do with that. That said, he swung the pendulum in the opposite direction, making even saying amen above a whisper feel as if it were almost a sin. It was quiet. Leaders often mocked, saying don’t lift your hands unless they are clean, which, of course, made everyone self-conscious to do so as not to appear holier than thou, so to speak. But then, who honestly wanted to do anything but quickly sit down after about the third stanza of “how firm a foundation.” The hymns are good songs, mind you, but songs that referenced Jesus but not true worship songs, so you didn’t want to do anything but hurry and get through them so you could quickly sit down. You stood, you sang quietly, and without any thought or emotion, you then sat down. This was how it was-zero connection between the words sung and my appreciative heart that was forever changed as a result of what Christ did for me. That thought alone should have caused at least one person to belt out a “hallelujah” or a “Thank you, Lord.” but it didn’t. And if someone were to say anything, the quick head turns, and hard looks would likely make them never want to do or say that again. Ice-cold Sunday singing that no one really wanted to participate in. No one, that is, except for a few rather zealous older saints or the one pre-selected leader that was in front leading the song from the pulpit. The song leader, well, he did try to liven things up a bit but usually to no avail. That, my friends, is pretty much how I remember it. Perhaps that’s why I liked hearing the choir sing so much-more feeling and more connectivity. Anyway, I do believe some may have wanted to attempt to worship freely, but it was the unspoken, frowned upon that kept most from saying a word, so they didn’t. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Instruments were frowned upon in my church but playing a song on the soundtrack, which had instruments, was permissible. So you sang a hymn. Then another hymn then, sat down to hear a message, and then went home. That was church. Even contemporary Christian music was not highly regarded. I remember, as a young girl overhearing a group talking after church, condemning Sandi Patti for the pants outfit she wore on the cover of her album. Or Andre Crouch for sporting his afro on his album cover and for having the second button on his dress shirt unbuttoned. I kid you not; I’m not making this up. It was condemnation after condemnation. If someone became sick, it was said that it was because of sin or past sins in their lives. If someone passed away, a parent, a spouse, or a child, people were told that God was trying to get their attention for some wrong they did. All of this was, of course, until the said leaders started to experience death, sickness, or hardship; then, the narrative changed quickly. As you can imagine, this all had a huge impact on my ability to worship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It wasn’t until I heard the most impactful message on worship from my current pastor that the light bulb, for the first time, went off. I got it for the first time, which literally brought me to tears! It helped that my church during worship isn’t fully illuminated- which I absolutely love. No one is looking around, so I felt protected. I felt less judged and oddly protected in the darkness, with only the stage where the musicians and worship team stood being lit. No eyes on me or others, and for the first time, I felt free to worship without fear of condemning eyes looking at me. It also helped that I was new to this church. I was in a state of, shall I say, needing much healing due to extreme brokenness as a result of losing my sweet, Godly mama. My heart was broken, and I wasn’t in a good place at all. I needed a Word or two or maybe three from the Lord. So I sat in the back. My adult children were off doing their own things, and I was content not knowing a soul and sitting in the darkness by myself with my Lord. Most Sundays during worship, I lifted my hands and cried, and no one saw me, so I felt safe. Songs like I speak Jesus<\/strong><\/em> by Charity Gayle (see link below), All Hail King Jesus<\/strong><\/em> by Bethel Music & Bethany Wohrle, Champion <\/strong><\/em>by Brandon lake, Same God <\/strong><\/em>by Elevation Worship, Give me Jesus<\/strong><\/em> by Upperroom, Christ be Magnified <\/strong><\/em>by Cody Carnes and House of Miracles<\/em><\/strong> by Brandon lake were just a few of the worship songs that my church worship team sang. In my heart, I cried out to my creator for help-I needed it. I cried because I so desperately want to be closer to him, and I needed to feel his presence. I lifted my hands and sang along with the worship team, reading every word on the screen, even if I knew the words. Singing to the Savior of the world who loves me and was holding me at one of the lowest moments of my life. I lifted my hands, I sang as loudly as possible, or sometimes I couldn’t sing at all and could only lift my hands as tears rolled down my cheeks. I worshiped the God of my salvation and the lover of my soul. And for the first time in my life, the chains fell off, and I was free to Worship my Creator in Spirit and in Truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, my friends, that’s my background. Or at least a part of it as it pertains to this post on worship. I thought I would kick off the new year with this post. Why? Because it all starts with Jesus! And you can not talk to Jesus, walk with Jesus, or ask for blessings in this new year unless you first give God what He desires and deserves- your total praise and your worship!<\/p>\n\n\n\n I am convinced that you can not live the life God desires for you to live until you learn to worship God freely without inhibitions. Until you learn the why, as I did (shout out to my current pastor), you likely will continue to be chained by your past thoughts on worship or your personal inhibitions relative to worship. If you, for just a few moments, closed your eyes, lifted your hands in surrender to God, and sing to him as if it were just you and he in the room alone, it will change your relationship with God in the most amazing way imaginable. Listen, worship isn’t foolishness, wild acts, or confusion. Worship isn’t attention-seeking. It is the most intimate moment between you and your God. It’s now almost two years since my mom’s transition to heaven and one year after hearing the most powerful and impactful message on worship, and although not completely healed, I am healing and in a much better place than I was a year ago. Healing is a process, and the journey is different for each person. I do feel like my heart can smile again. I am excited to serve again, and my worship is one of gratitude and thanksgiving to the One who both saved my soul and made me whole. My friends, He is worthy! <\/p>\n\n\n\n 6 Reasons Why Worship for the Believer is so important<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. WORSHIP GOD BECAUSE OF WHO HE IS.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n God is the Creator of the universe! He is the beginning and the end. We worship Him because of who He is. He is God the creator who has revealed Himself in both science and history, and the two subjects are intertwined. He is the omnipotent Creator and Redeemer of mankind. He is God the Trinity; God is one Being in three Persons-the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God The Holy Spirit). God is Love. God is the eternal, supreme being who created and preserves all things. God is worthy of our worship!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. WORSHIP GOD BECAUSE OF EVERYTHING HE HAS DONE FOR US.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n God created mankind, the earth, and its inhabitants; therefore, we worship Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We also worship God because if by faith, you accept Christ into your hearts as Lord and Savior, if you confess with your mouth that you are a sinner, that you believe that Jesus is Lord and that God sent him to earth to die on the cross for your sins, was buried and rose again on the third day, according to scripture; then, by faith, you are saved. God sent Jesus to die on our behalf so we might be free from sin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cordiallycamille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Blog-post-banners-3-copy-4.png?resize=1440%2C810&ssl=1\")
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