Recently, my husband and I were talking about different styles of music in churches. He brought up a really good point. Some of the music in churches seems to be addictive because of how emotional people get when they sing. It seems that people are mistaking true fellowship with God with an emotional high.
I have definitely done this. I get so caught up in the emotion of the song, that I am not really worshiping God. I am a very emotional person, so sometimes it takes awhile for me to differentiate between an emotional high and feeling the presence of God. I think there is a distinct difference, though.
God is usually pretty subtle but powerful. He doesn't swoop in like a marching band and mesmerize. I think God is present, especially where two or three are gathered in his name, and waits for us to come to him there. Sometimes, the way the music is played over and over again in increasing volume can make us feel like the Holy Spirit has made an appearance, but that could just be us getting worked up by the music. Also, God is always everywhere. Whether there is loud music playing and people raising their hands or we are on our couch at home alone.
I think we can have spiritual experiences, probably more genuine and more frequent, when we are intentionally seeking God in stillness. It saddens me that church has become a production. It is the gathering of believers, but I find that it has been cheapened to suit television audiences and what is culturally tolerable. I feel like we have forgotten the boldness of Jesus. He said it like it was at the right time no matter who he offended. Not out of any selfish ambition but because it was true. People needed to hear and see how to truly live a life abandoned to God.
When I think of what the church has become, I think of a lot of sheep moving in a direction that culture dictates. Is church another type of drug that is acceptable for Christians? We feel good we went. We feel good singing the songs. We hear a feel good sermon and feel good talking to the people sitting around us.
Truly worshiping God does not make you feel good all of the time. It means exposure. It means repentance. It means letting go when you hold on so tightly. It means revelation and commitment. Worship is not just about singing a song. Worship is a lifestyle that cannot be defined by 30 minutes on a Sunday morning.
In reality, worship is a struggle. True worship means offering your son to God as a sacrifice, offering the best of all you have, denying your needs when you may believe yourself to be so needy, biting your tongue, loving your enemies, honoring God with your mind and body...not easy things to do. Worship is a lifestyle, not something you can check off of your to-do list. The feeling you get when you worship God when it is difficult far outweighs the momentary high you get before you are directed to sit down on those padded seats. It's light years better.
I have definitely done this. I get so caught up in the emotion of the song, that I am not really worshiping God. I am a very emotional person, so sometimes it takes awhile for me to differentiate between an emotional high and feeling the presence of God. I think there is a distinct difference, though.
God is usually pretty subtle but powerful. He doesn't swoop in like a marching band and mesmerize. I think God is present, especially where two or three are gathered in his name, and waits for us to come to him there. Sometimes, the way the music is played over and over again in increasing volume can make us feel like the Holy Spirit has made an appearance, but that could just be us getting worked up by the music. Also, God is always everywhere. Whether there is loud music playing and people raising their hands or we are on our couch at home alone.
I think we can have spiritual experiences, probably more genuine and more frequent, when we are intentionally seeking God in stillness. It saddens me that church has become a production. It is the gathering of believers, but I find that it has been cheapened to suit television audiences and what is culturally tolerable. I feel like we have forgotten the boldness of Jesus. He said it like it was at the right time no matter who he offended. Not out of any selfish ambition but because it was true. People needed to hear and see how to truly live a life abandoned to God.
When I think of what the church has become, I think of a lot of sheep moving in a direction that culture dictates. Is church another type of drug that is acceptable for Christians? We feel good we went. We feel good singing the songs. We hear a feel good sermon and feel good talking to the people sitting around us.
Truly worshiping God does not make you feel good all of the time. It means exposure. It means repentance. It means letting go when you hold on so tightly. It means revelation and commitment. Worship is not just about singing a song. Worship is a lifestyle that cannot be defined by 30 minutes on a Sunday morning.
In reality, worship is a struggle. True worship means offering your son to God as a sacrifice, offering the best of all you have, denying your needs when you may believe yourself to be so needy, biting your tongue, loving your enemies, honoring God with your mind and body...not easy things to do. Worship is a lifestyle, not something you can check off of your to-do list. The feeling you get when you worship God when it is difficult far outweighs the momentary high you get before you are directed to sit down on those padded seats. It's light years better.
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