So there's this guy at my church. He rocks back and forth a lot, even when the music isn't
playing. I don't think I've ever heard him speak to anyone; however, I
have heard him sing. I've been a few rows behind him to see the people all turn and stare. I've been at the opposite side of the
church and still heard him singing, or should I say groaning.
It's not a pretty sound. It's a loud monotone moaning noise.
What happened to being dignified and quiet in church? I mean, who does
he think he is to disrupt the rest of the congregation? To ruin worship
for everyone else? It's really hard to concentrate when this guy is singing.
For the past couple of years, I've been praying
that God would give me His eyes for others. Instead of viewing others with my limited (and often distorted) worldly perspective, I've asked the Lord to fill me with His compassion and help
me see people through His lens. I believe the young man at my church is one of the people He has helped me see in a different light.
Though the sound is not a pleasant one to the ears, there is something in my spirit that wants to embrace this young man when he sings. I am filled with joy when I hear him sing - his simple praise takes me to a deeper place in my worship. I've noticed he has been quiet at church lately and I certainly hope someone didn't advise him to stop singing. After all, wasn't it David that
after being accused of dancing half-naked in the streets and disgracing his wife said, "I
will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own
eyes." I did a second-take when I first read that scripture - I thought, did he just use undignified and humiliated as
a positive thing? I would think that as the King, a certain amount of
restraint is appropriate . . . but evidently this doesn't apply when worshiping
the Lord. Scripture says that David danced before the Lord with all his might . . . and it pleases our heavenly Father when we worship Him with the same reckless abandonment.
I think God is tone deaf. I think He hears our hearts in worship, not our tone or display of talent. I've been at churches and heard breathtaking musical performances, but didn't see the singer crack a smile. I've been at churches and seen individuals perform with zeal and get the crowd worked-up, but instead of drawing attention to the One they were singing about, they drew attention to themselves.
I want to be more like the young man at my church. I hope someone didn't quench his beautiful undignified act of worship before God. Help us God - we are so clueless sometimes. Jerk us out of our habits and traditions that displease you and wash away the religious stench that remains in our churches and hearts. Open our eyes Lord. Make us more like You. I want to be more like you - to be undignified, humiliated, and tone deaf.
1 Corinthians 1:27 "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."
