19 The Levites (both Kohathites and Korahites) stood to their feet to praise God, the God of Israel; they praised at the top of their lungs!
– 2 Chronicles 20:18-19
I worked with a lady once who explained that as a good Southern Baptist, she used the "holding a watermelon" style of worship – you know . . . you only raise your hands as high as you would hold a watermelon out in front of you. She explained that by raising her hands only waist-high, she could be "Charismatic" and "Conservative" at the same time. As a proud and demonstrative Pentecostal, I couldn't understand why anyone would be "conservative" in the way they approach God and smiling, I walked away from the conversation praying (in tongues) for the release of inhibition and pride in my coworker.
Over the years I have come to understand that there are many ways to praise and worship our God, and just because I choose to do one thing, it doesn't mean that it's the right, or the only thing. Our God is a BIG God and He created us all with individuality and unique senses of what, how, why, and when we are to express ourselves as we approach and honor Him. He loves the kneelers as much as the face-planters; the jump-up-and-down-ers the same as the pace-back-and-forth-ers; He loves the whisperers and the shouters equally, and He honors the reach-for-the-sky-ers in the same way as the watermelon-holders. God loves it all! He loves ALL His children equally, and He honors any way we choose to open our hearts in praise and worship to Him.
So whether you bow, kneel, sit, stand, jump, shout, cry, laugh, wave your arms back-and-forth, side-to-side, or up-and-down, if you choose to sing old-timey hymns, modern praise anthems, soaking and swaying, a cappella, drums - no drums, pipe-organ, or synthesizers. As long as your heart is right and your intentions are pure . . . it ALL honors our Father in heaven. He loves it equally and unconditionally, because it comes out of a pure desire to recognize Him, and to honor Him with who we are . . . not with what other people think we should be.
So Praise! Praise YOUR way! Praise in the uniqueness of who He made you to be! Praise with everything you have in you! Our God deserves it. He eats it up! He LOVES to see it, hear it, and experience it! Most of all . . . He honors it, and He blesses those who worship HIm . . . in any way they choose . . . with all they are. Just Praise, after all, when all is said and done . . . it doesn't matter how you Praise, it only matters that you Praise!
Prayer
Father, we praise You! We worship You with all that we are and in the way that fits our relationship with You. Thank You for creating so many ways for us to express our Love for and to You. Thank You for loving us all equally. Help us to always praise You with pure hearts and with honor and reverence for who You are . . . our Great God!
Have a Blessed day everyone!
– Richard
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