Worship

This is a subject that's really been on my heart. I know, I know...I've already written about this stuff...But, it's just on the front of my mind these days. I've just really been convicted about the whole attitude towards worship in our world today. So many churches, leaders, and church goers have reduced worship down to that hour-long portion of the week where we take time to sing, pray, and listen to a message. And, there are many who have reduced it further than that...relating worship only to that time of our celebratory gatherings where we sing together. We find our favorite songs...and only want to sing them. I hear people say things like, "If we could only sing _______________ song, I'd really get connected in worship," or "You know, I can really feel the Lord's presence when we sing _____________." We've gotten to the place where people feel like it's really not worship unless we sing a certain song...Isn't that crazy. Worship is not about the songs we sing. Worship is about praising God...celebrating who He is and all that He has done for us. Worship is about leading a life that glorifies God. What would happen if we all came to church and there was no music? Would we be able to worship? Would we be able to get connected to the Lord? I think so many of our attitudes towards worship revolve more around our personal preferences and a whole lot less about our desire to glorify God. I get sick and tired of hearing people say, "I really love what we're doing, but if we'd just do this song, I'd love it even more." I've heard these kind of comments in every church I've served in...it's just nuts! I'm glad that people truly connect through a certain song, but if that's the only way one can connect to the Lord, it's honestly kind of sad. You know, I used to be in those shoes too. I used to always want to sing certain songs...I wanted nothing to do with the old hymns...nothing to do with songs like Blindman (I still want nothing to do with Blindman). But, then I came to the point where I realized...this isn't about what I want...It's about what God wants. If God laid a particular song on the song leaders heart for us to sing together, then who am I too complain. And, isn't it awfully petty of me to say that I don't like a song...especially when it's not about a song...it's all about God. Well, I need to stop ranting and probably shouldn't even post this...