How often do you allow your heart to be fully expressed through your body?

Often times when people gather as a congregation for a worship service, there is a wide range of feelings and expressions going on. Some sing as though they are pouring out their heart to Him with hands raised and eyes closed. Some jump for joy as they try to sing through their smile that goes from ear to ear. And some stand in place as they softly sing out the words, intently soaking in the moment.

As someone who has attended multiple different denominations of churches, I have begun to realize how legalistic some congregations view worship.

“You shouldn’t raise your hands because there is an unspoken agreement that it’s weird. You shouldn’t clap while bopping too much because you look immature. And don’t even get me started about moving your whole body at once in an excited dance while shouting the lyrics…”

It genuinely breaks my heart that this is the way in which some churches raise their congregation. Now I completely understand that people have different ways to show their surrendering to God, but I do not care what denomination you are or how long you’ve been a Christian…it is never your place to judge another person’s way of singing and worshipping God.

Scripture tells us time and time again that we ought to sing (Psalm 146:2), lift our hands (1 Timothy 2:8), dance (2 Samuel 6:14), clap (Psalm 47:1), bow (Nehemiah 8:6), etc. when we worship and praise God. But more importantly than deciding your form of worship is making sure that whichever way you choose to go about singing and praising, remains genuine and true. Your outward expressions should be a reflection of your inward submission to God.

God designed us to worship Him. Our bodies were made to glorify His name in every possible way. And the way in which you worship should be unapologetic.

A few weeks ago, I saw the movie about Elvis. It was so good. However, the way he was treated by society hurt me as it reminded me of how many times I have been in a worship service and seen members of the church scoff or mock another because of their actions. Elvis was a shock to the music industry because he moved like no other. The music, that which his passion came from, seemingly rushed through every vain in his body, preventing Him from holding back His enthusiasm.

Far too often I feel as though many of us allow fear of judgement or confidence in our intentions stop us from fully pouring out our heart to God. We may mean every word we say, but a small 20% of our attention deep down is focused on keeping our arms by out side until someone next to us lifts theirs, or until the chorus starts where you know many others will join you.

Dear friend, God did not give you a spirit of fear. He intricately crafted you to proudly worship Him. Isaiah 43:21 says, “The people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.” Do not allow the enemy to plant worry in your mind when God already swiped you clean of sin’s grasp.

One of the many things I love about God is that He is a God of all nations. Whether you have been out of the country or not, I am sure you have met others or heard of people groups that are completely different than you. And if you ever had the experience of celebrating anything with them, you can tell their music is often much different. If the diversity of humanity alone isn’t astonishing to you, I don’t know what could be. Their food is different. Their clothes are different. And yes, their worship can often be different as well.

But that does not mean they are wrong in any way. 1 Chronicles 16:23 says, “Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day.” God knew there would be difference. And much like our need to seek joy in the differences/changes of life, we too must seek joy in the difference among ourselves.

Worship is for the clapper. For the shouter. For the soft singer. For the dancer. For the hand raiser. Dear friend, worship is for ALL. As the rocks cry out in silence, the birds chirp in glory, and the mountains bow in reverence, may you have the confidence to let worship be what flows through every inch of your body, beginning in your heart.

Pursue a life of unapologetic praise. And tell the enemy that because of the victory Christ already claimed, you will worship without worry forever and ever, amen.

What a beauty and gift it is to be free and ourselves in front of the Father. Here are some verses to encourage you as you learn to fully express that which flows through your heart:

2 Samuel 6:14  And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod.

Psalm 149:3 Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!

Psalm 134:2 Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord!

1 Timothy 2:8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;

Psalm 95:6 Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

Psalm 47:1 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

Psalm 71:8 My mouth is filled with Your praise and with Your glory all day long.

Exodus 15: 20 Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing. 21 Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.”

Nehemiah 8:6
Then Ezra blessed the Lord the great God. And all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.