"The Noise we Make"/ worship

 Several years ago, I read a book that my husband has in his office at church by Chris Tomlin, called, "The Way I Was Made." I remember enjoying learning more about Chris, how he got started in music and how he wrote several of his songs. There was one chapter that stuck with me though. It was the chapter called, "The Noise we Make." It discusses worship styles, and how they can be so divisive in a church. There are many, many different worship styles in churches across the world, in our country, and even in our own church. Some people don't like drums. Some people are uncomfortable raising their hands. Some people don't even like to sing. I am not one of those people.

But worship is not really about US, is it? It is to God, for God and God alone. It is not about me, my comfort and my desire to be favorably looked at by others. This chapter changed the way I feel about raising my hands in worship. 

When I visited my sister-in-law's church in college and after, I was amazed how many people raised their hands. I tried it, and instantly began sweating, like other people were staring down my back. It took a long time until I felt comfortable raising my hands in church. Chris Tomlin talks about reasons that we raise our hands. We raise hands in school or classes when we need help. We raise hands with the police to show that we surrender, we mean no harm, or that we do not bear a weapon. We raise hands to cheer and support musicians or sports stars at a concert or game. We raise hands as a child when we want to be picked up and comforted by a parent.

I think that all of these (above) reasons apply to worship...we need help, we surrender, we cheer/ support God, we want comfort and acceptance by God. If we raise our hands to others, how much more should we lift up our hands to God? Psalm 134:2 says, "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord." Why? Raising our hands to God communicates many different, important things.

Chris Tomlin goes on to talk about bowing down in worship, being still before Him (many of us do that well), shouting for joy, and even dancing. I tend to not stand still in church when I sing. I sway side to side, I tap my leg with my hand along to the beat of the music, and more. Ecclesiastes talks about there being a time to dance (3:4). When the ark of the Covenant (a symbol of God's presence) was returned to Jerusalem, David danced before the Lord with all his might (2 Samuel 6:14-15). David was so grateful for what God was doing that he just had to dance. Even when his wife Michal scolded him later for embarrassing her in public, David was defiant and told her that he would celebrate before the Lord, and would become even more undignified than this (vv. 21-22).

Worshipping God isn't about having the perfect voice, the perfect dance moves or a great sense of rhythm. It's not about how we look at all. Dancing and worshipping before God is all about our heart. We may risk looking uncool in public. It is not a cool thing in our world to give full-on praise, applause and glory to God. Worship calls for that kind of abandonment to the full joy of God's presence. Will we risk being a David-- putting aside what others may think and simply express to God how thankful we are to be in His presence?

Ultimately, worship styles, singing songs and music is not about loud or quiet. It's not about amplification or acoustic, contemporary or traditional. It's not about what you do with your hands or feet. It is about Jesus. He is the true object of our worship and affection. God sees into our hearts. Can we claim and declare, "Your name and your renown are the desire of our souls" (Isaiah 6:8)? Join me and others as we open our hands, hearts, throw back our heads to shout, dance and exult in the honor of our King of Kings.

(Many thoughts are taken from the chapter "The Noise we Make" in Chris Tomlin's book. I agree with his thoughts and have found truth in them. I challenge you to get out of your comfort zone and worship God in a new way. If it makes you uncomfortable or look uncool, that is okay. "We bring a sacrifice of praise..." (Heb. 13:15

"Holy Is The Lord" by Chris Tomlin

We stand and lift up our hands
For the joy of the Lord is our strength
We bow down and worship Him now
How great, how awesome is He

And together we sing

Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
Holy is the Lord God Almighty...

What do you think? Do you raise your hands when you worship God?

Psalm 54:6
I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good.

Jonah 2:9
But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’”

Hebrews 13:15
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.