Worship Through It
Worship is a beautiful thing. It causes us to take our eyes off ourselves and shift our gaze somewhere else. The wonder of worship is that there is never a time where it isn’t called for or can’t be participated in. Whether you’re on top of the world or in the bottom of the pit, there’s a reason to worship.
The act is so much more than putting on a nice Christian song while you’re driving, although that certainly works too. The Bible is filled with examples of what it looks like to come to the Lord in our various emotional states. Look no farther than the book of Psalms for inspiration. Many of these are penned by David, a man who was after God’s own heart. There are Psalms of praise, thanksgiving, and many of lament.
Friend, let me remind you that worship is not a place to be fake. Jesus uses these words to invite people to Him, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Paul says, “rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). David says, “How long Oh Lord, will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1).
I used the word “shift” as we began for a reason. See, worship does not mean neglecting where you are and what you’re feeling. Rather, it’s a call to come exactly as you are, lay down your sense of overwhelming thanksgiving or crippling fears to the Lord. And then recognize Him as God.
Jesus, in a way of prayerful worship, modeled this in the Garden of Gethsemane. He’s moments away from being betrayed by one of his best friends to then be crucified on a cross. He comes to the Father and says, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).
He shows us what true honesty in presenting His current state to God looks like and then arrives at – God’s will is what I desire most. David does the same at the end of Psalm 13. After his plea over how long, he says, “But I have trusted in your steadfast love my heart shall rejoice in your salvation I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me” (Psalm 13:5-6).
Just the other night I was on my knees in worship carrying a heavy heart. At first, I didn’t want to engage, but I began to prayerfully bring my current self to God. And then my perspective began to shift and pan away from myself and onto the beauty of the Lord. With tears, I could feel the Presence of the Lord begin to minister to the broken places I’d brought before Him.
My reality didn’t change. The situations are still there. The reasons to rejoice or to lament remain. It was my perspective that softened. Worship has a way of shifting our focus. Friend, it doesn’t mean where you’re at and what you’re going through doesn’t matter. No, the good news is even better than that. It means God wants to meet you there and walk with you through it.
Worship helps us see things in a different light. It’s a light that’s illuminated from the Lord and His Presence and not from our limited understanding. The holiness of God then allows us to rest and trust in the goodness of who God is. Friend, this truth is true for you exactly where you are. Let God in today on where you’re at, worship Him, and see if He doesn’t meet you with peace outside your understanding.
