Happy Monday!
In church yesterday I thought about today’s word-of-the-week…
PRAISE
I don’t seem to do “praise” like a lot of other folks. I don’t feel the urge to raise my hands or dance—well, there’s the wheelchair thing, but I don’t think it would change much. I don’t often feel like shouting God’s name in praise. I enjoy singing praise songs, but that surge of emotion that a lot of people seem to feel just isn’t there for me.
During the service I wondered about the penetrating question I’ve asked before: Do I really believe what I believe?
In this context, I’m wondering if this lack of a sense of praise indicates some sort of shortfall in my belief?
What do you think?
I tend to think about my relationship with Jesus in terms of a familiar friendship. I imagine Him walking beside me, talking in familiar language, sharing long silences in which much is communicated. I picture approaching Jesus with the thumbclasp rather than raised hands.
A couple of years ago a great song (I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe) tried to picture what it’ll be like to be in Jesus’ presence: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xwzItqYmII)
In the chorus, the songwriter asks:
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I don’t picture singing or falling to my knees in awe as much as a hug, an arm around my shoulders, a big smile, a wheelchair kicked into the ditch, and a friendly “Welcome home.”
I want to praise and worship. I want to give God the glory.
I just don’t want it to be fake.
Have a great week.
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