Yesterday we heard the third message in the "Stop...Start Really Living" series at my church.
Before the message began we had our time of praise and worship. Generally speaking our congregation is pretty low key when it comes to singing praise songs. Inside we're on fire for the Lord...but that doesn't usually show on the outside. There's not usually a lot of hand raising or clapping. But I know from experience that there are tears of thanksgiving and hearts bursting with love for the Lord. I also know from experience that my actions (or lack of actions) has something to do with "what's everyone else doing"?
I'm ashamed to admit that, but it's the truth.
As the first song of praise and worship began our worship leader asked us to stand. It was a beautiful song...one you could kind of lose yourself in. The music softened before the second song began and our worship leader said "You may be seated......if you'd like to". During his pause people began to sit, some did sit. But then he continued with the "...if you'd like to" part. Some of those starting to sit stopped, stood, and out of the corners of their eyes looked around.
What was everyone else doing?
I was standing in the fourth row. I could tell people in the row behind me were still standing....but then they sat down. Someone to the right of me was standing....then, after a second or two, he sat. A couple to my left stood as the next praise song began. But then they sat as well. As near as I could tell I was the last one standing (I found out later that I was).
All along I didn't want to sit down. I love to sing praise songs and sitting just doesn't seem to me the best position to do that in. I glanced at the worship leader and then.......I sat down. Because everyone else sat down.
Praise and worship concluded and the message began. The message this week was called:
"STOP Comparing"
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My point.....it doesn't matter how you want to praise the Lord if it truly comes from your heart. What does matter is that you praise Him the way you want to...without concern for the way everyone else is doing it. (and by YOU I mean ME!)
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| 6:00 AM on 6/25/11 Praise God for His Beautiful Creation ~~:::~~ "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2 |
