I've been thinking about something lately (this is not a rant so do not read it with rant eyes. It is a long question)
We have all said something like, "Worship is not necessarily raising arms, spinning around, clapping, etc." While doing those things is good, I don't think that any of us would say that they are an outright requirement for worship. So with that said here is my question...
"Why then when we write songs do we promote and even glorify in a way those very acts of worship that we say are not required?”
We have all said something like, "Worship is not necessarily raising arms, spinning around, clapping, etc." While doing those things is good, I don't think that any of us would say that they are an outright requirement for worship. So with that said here is my question...
"Why then when we write songs do we promote and even glorify in a way those very acts of worship that we say are not required?”
Do you ever hear any worship songs saying something like, “Here I am to worship, here I am to stand still and dead-like”? Of course not, but why?
I mean shouldn’t we expect to see movement within our worship? Either a lifting up (hands, heads, hearts, etc.) or a dropping down (heads, hands, hearts, bodies, etc.)? I still agree that bodily movements should never be labeled a requirement (if so then handicapped or paralyzed people could never worship). But don’t you think those of us that can move should? Don’t you think those that can’t move would if they could?
I mean shouldn’t we expect to see movement within our worship? Either a lifting up (hands, heads, hearts, etc.) or a dropping down (heads, hands, hearts, bodies, etc.)? I still agree that bodily movements should never be labeled a requirement (if so then handicapped or paralyzed people could never worship). But don’t you think those of us that can move should? Don’t you think those that can’t move would if they could?
3 comments:
Well, you know where I stand on the movement issue, my friend.
What gets me is when people justify their inactivity by saying, "I worship in the quiet." (I hear this a lot in Methodist Land.)
But scripture pretty clearly commands us to express ourselves in both physical and visible ways.
I loved your post Robert. Worship is always a great topic. I love what you said at the end about paralyzed people. It made me think about something...Paralysis is not only physical.
From a psychology standpoint I am inclined to believe that there are individuals that are in a sense internally paralyzed. There are individuals that I deal with daily that are unable to produce physical actions that match internal realities. Your post reminded me of the importance of my work and the transforming powers of the word of God. The individuals I speak of are not to be confused with those that Todd spoke of. I am speaking of the extreme population of believers.
Good words Danielle!
I thought of something else too. Do you have to throw your hands up on a roller coaster? Do you have to smile and hug your friend you have not seen in months? Do you have to spin around with your 2 year old because she said, "sing me a song daddy"?
Of course you don't HAVE to do those things... but doesn't each of those experiences grow in value when you do?
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