What is your Worship Style?

How do you worship?

Are you reverent, devoted and serious like Paul? Or do you shout and sing at the top of your lungs as you dance down the street like King David?

I one day found some music videos, which I will share with you, that I found inspiring. I was in my home, singing at the top of my lungs. It felt so joyous to praise God like that. This is one of them. It was absolutely beautiful.

A few days later, I heard a minister on line talking about people who were praising God by singing Christian songs at rock concerts. In his mind, he didn’t think it was respectful to do that.

Okay. I can see where he’s coming from. The apostle Paul and several other prophets and apostles were very serious and proper in the way that they presented God’s message. They wanted to show respect and that’s a wonderful thing to do.

But… I want to also point out a story in the bible about King David. This is how it goes:

2 Samuel 6: vs. 14-16 David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets. As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart.

Michal despised King David, but I didn’t hear any criticism from God. God sees into a person’s heart. David was the kind of person who couldn’t contain his emotions when he was overwhelmed. When he was in anguish, he would cry out so loud everyone in the palace heard him. When he was overflowing with joy he had to dance and sing out loud for joy. That was his personality. That was his style.

I know there are some people who have a calmer, more dignified manner who might not understand someone behaving that way. The King David’s of the world might look at someone who is quiet and reserved in their worship as not being strong or sincere in their faith.

These opinions are far from the truth. I have an aunt who is one of the most dedicated Christians I know, but it’s not in her nature to jump up and shout in public. I would describe her as being a little shy, but trust me, if you ask her about her faith, she won’t hesitate to tell you with a radiant smile on her face. You can see and feel her love for Jesus.

I also know people who have the same amount of faith as my aunt, but they have a different personality than she does. When they get excited, they want to jump up out of their seat and shout Hallelujah!

I don’t believe that there’s a right or wrong way to worship God. Of course, you want to do it respectfully, but whether you’re vocal and energetic or you worship in quiet reverence; I am sure God is pleased because he knows it is coming from your heart. He knows your intentions. Besides, he made us. He gave us our different personalities and he expects us to be ourselves when we worship before him.

My thought would be to worship the way you feel comfortable and let others worship the way they feel comfortable. It’s all beautiful to the Lord!

U.S. Marines Sing “Days of Elijah” at Camp Pendleton

To hear the above, click on it and then scroll down to the second picture, then click on that.

Ephesians 5: 19-20 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.