09-20-24

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
September 20, 2024
I grew up in a fairly traditional church setting, and worship was an experience that happened above the neck. We stood and sat on cue, and most of the praise was done inside our heads and through our voices. To even put our hands together was a rare occasion, and in those rare moments, there was some discomfort. In Psalm 149:3, we read, “Let them praise the Lord’s name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.” This Psalm offers us a much more comprehensive portrait of worship. I’m not suggesting a raucous pentecostal event is for everyone, but I do not believe worship should be confined to a single part of our humanity. My hope is for worship to touch every part of our physical and emotional being that God will need in the building of the divine Kin(g)dom. The communal experience of prayer and praise forms us in the movement of the spirit. If all we put before the spirit is a single aspect of our being, then we may not perceive another part of our identity or existence as being useful to God.

Shape all of who I am, Holy and Gracious God, for the purpose of building your extravagant reign of love here on earth. Amen.