I was a believer for years before I learned about freedom in worship. I remember attending church and singing lots of hymns and choruses. The songs were generally in line with scripture and reminded me of the truths about God and His most prized creation, man. I was in love with clapping and singing and stepping to the rhythm. These moments were certainly uplifting for me and I am grateful.
Somewhere in my late twenties early thirties however, I experienced a different level of worship. A level of worship that allowed me to become more aware of my thoughts, and my actions towards God. A level of worship that allowed me to become more practical in my christian walk. I got free from traditional forms of worship and I got to understand that It was o.k. for me to express myself towards God. I was free to show tears, to kneel before God, to shout, to sing out and to dance. I no longer was concerned about who was watching and what they were thinking. For the first time I began to realise that it was not worldly to show emotions in worship towards God. It was great to learn and embrace that freedom.
As I was reading Exodus 15 this week, I couldn’t help but notice a few things about worship that made me smile and reflect on my journey.
- God delivered the children of Israel from the Egyptians by miraculously allowing them to walk through the Red Sea, later causing Pharaoh’s army to drown as they pursued them. As a result they sang a song unto the Lord and what I observed is that the words were very specific to what was experienced. They sang “He hath triumphed gloriously! The Lord is my strength and my song and he is become my salvation.” It reminds us to sing unto the Lord with our whole hearts being mindful to be meaningful and personal in our expressions. We must only sing about our experiences. Let our words be true and meaningful.
- There was a powerful testimony in their song. It says, “The depths have covered them and they sank to the bottom as a stone”. Those who are listening and watching need to hear the details of what God has done or is doing for you. Don’t hold it back, it shows off his power and his might and it allows them to relate to your story.
- I love how they exposed the plan of the enemy in their song by singing “The enemy said, I will pursue you, I will overtake you, I will divide and spoil…” It is important that we do not downplay the plan of the enemy. The consequences of taking the enemy for granted can be devastating. Accept it for what it is! He will pursue! He will seek to overtake you! He will seek to destroy your family, your future and your testimony.
Be free with your praise and your testimony, do not hold back from sharing about God’s goodness. Sing about it, talk about it, dance about it!
