Thursday, January 14, 2010

Close Your Eyes and Worship



The subject of worship or a profound Worship experience? When I saw this was the blog subject for the week, I got EXCITED!! My mind immediately went to the first Sunday my husband and I stepped into a church.

We walked into an elementary school with what seemed liked 100's of exuberant smiling faces. I was so overtaken by the feeling of the atmosphere, that it took me a minute or two to realize there was a band playing music, people had hands raised eyes closed...Some people had their eyes open, some swayed from side to side, some even jumped. There was one woman in particular I remember vividly...she had her hands raised with a smile but tears were streaming down her face.

That entire service she had my attention, I watched as she smiled and wept, blotted her tears and cried some more.

I remember asking my husband Pablo-What is going on in here?

My mind was racing....OK??....When you walk in..everyone talks to you, then hugs you. Some people are laughing when others are crying. It's a miracle we even went back....Every Sunday that we went back it was the same experience. We got use to it (sort of) I even began singing the songs, some even from memory.

The songs became familiar, they were no longer strange....They were beautiful...the more I sang them the more beautiful they became. I began to anticipate the "song" part of church. I loved the message, I was learning and being challenged all at the same time. My salvation from day one has been a challenge and a constant learning experience. (That's a different blog)

After watching others worship and participating in worship myself. I became intrigued by those who raised their hands.

So what did I do ? What I always do!...JUMP in with both feet...In this case "both hands"...The song playing was "This is the Air I Breath."

I did it! I closed my eyes and with all my strength fought against the feelings of insecurity and thrust my arms into heaven.

The emotion I felt surged through my hands, through my entire body. I began to sing louder as tears began streaming down my face. That day in church...I understood "Worship."....That day I surrendered my will for His.

Jesus touched me that day. He spoke to me, I heard His voice. In that crowded church with eyes closed. It was just me and my Father. He told me that He loved me, and what I had done in my past didn't matter to Him. He called me daughter. That day...I became daddy's little girl....From that Sunday til the present time there is not a church service that I don't stand in surrender, there is not a song that is sung that I don't raise my arms in honor and praise to my King....Worship changed my life!! It gave me a way to come into intimate union with Jesus my Savior. It is my secret place where I can express to Him my inner most thoughts and desires. It's where I feel a sense of unconditional love into the very depths on my soul....

For 10 years now...I have had the honor of being a part and leading christian dance teams. I have seen miracles take place in many men, women and childrens lives I have watched deliverance and freedom explode from the presence of intimate worship.

So I guess it would be safe to say...Every worship experience has been profound. Every experience is unique. There is always something new He's speaking to us or maybe it's just the gentle touch of His hand as he wipes away your tears...My Jesus, My Savior, My Redeemer and King!!

3 comments:

David said...

Thanks for sharing Michelle. I remember one of the worship songs the day you got saved. They played We Will Dance by David Ruis.

I don't know if you are aware, but before the service Bob and I decided to pray over the chairs. The very row you were in, I proclaimed as a row of salvation. Bob said that all the rows were, but I was certain about that particular row; about midway. Interestingly you and Pablo were the only ones in it on the right - well until the end. A woman that was sitting up front went to check her kids in Children's church. When she came back, a few minutes before the altar call, she sat in your row; probably feeling that she would be noticed going back up front. A man that was in the row on the left got up and left (sermon was probably too long). So there you were on the right with Pabs and her on the left.

When the call came the 3 of you raised your hands.

Here are the lyrics: We Will Dance

Sing a song of celebration
Lift up a shout of praise
For the Bridegroom will come
The glorious One
And oh, we will look on His face
We’ll go to a much better place

Dance with all your might
Lift up your hands and clap for joy
The time’s drawing near
When He will appear
And oh, we will stand by His side
A strong, pure, spotless bride

We will dance on the streets that are golden
The glorious bride and the great Son of man
From every tongue and tribe and nation
Will join in the song of the Lamb

Sing aloud for the time of rejoicing is near
(Sing aloud for the time of rejoicing is near)
The risen King, our groom, is soon to appear
(The risen King, our groom, is soon to appear)
The wedding feast to come is now near at hand
(The wedding feast to come is now near at hand)
Lift up your voice, proclaim the coming Lamb
(Lift up your voice, proclaim the coming Lamb)

Tony C said...

I love it! Praise God on high!

Jesus will supercharge those who open their hearts to receive. Why would anyone want to be part of a dead worship service? I'm happy about my Savior...no, I'm ecstatic!

It's not healthy to hold all that Joy in...a person might just burst open! Blessings Mchelle!

photogr said...

Michelle:

That is exactly what the Lord wants us to do in worship to Him. With the exception of the old time tent revivals I snuck into as a child, my religious experiences were in stoic churches with strong regulations against any expressions of joy as I was told repeatedly. Repeatedly I felt I was being restrained and left the churches with an empty feeling and eventually dropping out of the established church all together.

Today, I am a nomad wandering aimlessly searching for that special tent in the desert.

Recently the church I attend has started a monthly "Encounter"( what I call a Mini revival).Yes you can stand up and sing and dance with joy and tears procaliming the gloy of the Lord. Prayers and healing happen, Some even prophesy and speak in tongues, and all are coaught up in the presence of the Holy Spirit who has free will in the worship.

Sadly this service doesn't happen as frequently as it should.