CONNECTED WORSHIP

For as long as I can remember, when people refer to worship, I immediately think of the music and singing portion of a church service. Its the time when the musicians and/or singers go on stage and start playing and singing. The congregation grabs the hymnals or looks at the video screen and sings traditional songs or maybe something with a little more of a rock beat. I would imagine that nearly every christian or anyone who has ever attended a church service, for that matter, would know what I am talking about.

I recently read a post on a popular blog in which the writer suggested that singing and music has been the focus of worship for far too long. I thought about that and it made me really take a hard look at what I define as worship and if it is correct. Is worship just singing? Or is it more. To go even further, should we maybe set aside music, specifically singing,  as the focus of worship and embrace something different?

WHAT IS WORSHIP?

First off, we must agree on what worship truly is and what it is not. Worship is not just singing, dancing or some physical action. Worship is a state of our heart and an attitude that is completely bowed down to God in humility. This can be expressed in any number of ways. I believe singing is the most natural outpouring of gratitude. Please read my What is Worship? post for more.

WHAT IS SINGING?

When I think about musicals on stage or even in the cinema, I distinctly remember that about every 5-10 minutes there is a song. Many times these songs happen when something really good takes place. Sometimes it is when something unfortunate happens. Usually the character is so full of emotion they break out in song. Many times they are joined by others in song and dance. I contend that these moments represent the peak of human emotion. When you can’t keep from bursting into song and start expressing the pinnacle of joy. Isn’t the same thing true in worship? God has done so much for us through His son. If we truly accept that and apply it to our lives, we are born again. Shouldn’t that be the height of human emotion, salvation from eternal damnation and eternity with our true father? I answer that question with lyrics from Chris Tomlin’s popular worship song…”How can I keep from singing your praise…how can I ever say enough, how amazing is your love…” 

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Well, the word “sing” shows up in the NIV Bible 122 times. That’s more than the word “pray”. Sing to the Lord is one of the most recorded commandments throughout scripture. We are encouraged to “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord…” in Ephesians 5:19. Paul writes to the Colossians in the 16th verse of chapter 3, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” I haven’t even mentioned the Psalms yet. Take a look at Psalm 100 or even Psalm 150, God gives us a great example of making a joyful noise with instruments and singing. All throughout scripture we can see that God puts an emphasis on singing. When our heart is filled with gladness and thanksgiving, we should hardly be able to stop from singing.
 

So, maybe the real question is “Why stop singing?” If the Bible is clear on the importance of singing, and even Zephaniah 3:17 states that God rejoices over His people with singing, should we really even entertain the idea that we should focus on something else. I contend that the very thought of that is not from God and pre-supposes that man one day decided that he should sing during worship and now he is bored and should think of something else.

I hope that we all can be bold yet humble enough to sing for joy to God for all He is, has done and will do in the future. Hallelujah!