Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you."
Psalm 63:3-5
I was raised in a very traditional, southern church where we sang out of a gospel hymnal to the tune of a very seasoned piano player. Our song list usually involved "I'll Fly Away", "He Set Me Free", and "Washed in the blood?" Most of us were out of tune with each other, yet I am sure that God still enjoyed it. Even still, I was never taught to raise my hands in praise nor was it something that was often done in my church. Many people may disagree to what I am going to write, and that's perfectly ok. But I want to share in something that has changed my walk with my Father and has brought me closer to Him.
Worship. Worship that has required me to break outside of my comfort zone and do things I may have not been taught to do growing up. Like raising my hands in praise. This was extremely hard for me to do. I was very stubborn about it, thinking "I shouldn't do it just because everyone else is doing it, I can praise God just fine without it." You can, indeed...and no one should judge you for not raising your hands. But there is something to be said about surrendering yourself and your pride to the Lord by raising your hands in a love gesture towards your Father. The blessings you receive from surrendering your will to Him is truly remarkable.
Our pastor just finished a sermon series called, "Why Worship?" I just didn't get it until after this sermon. Pastor Steve alluded the gesture of raising our hands to giving a hug to someone you love. We can't physically touch him, so we raise our hands to him as to say, "I love you." Wow. And "because [His] love is better than life" I want to "praise [Him] as long as I live. In [His] name I will lift up my hands."
God's love is amazing and I want to show Him how grateful I am and how much I love him back.
3 comments:
You have a great blog site. Beautifully arranged & well stated. I will pray with you and for you, that God Blesses you as you are Blessing others. In Jesus name..
Visited your blog site again today. I am up-lifted when I read what you have said about everyday happenings in your life. Why? They are the same happenings in my life, and I suspect they are the same for a lot of us... LOL N Christ
Excellent post, Elizabeth, and some great thoughts on the purpose of raising your hands during worship. I was never extremely comfortable raising my hands because, like you, I felt I would just be forcing it and there was no point. Other times I feel the strength of true worship that is nearly impossible to keep my hands down. Thanks for pointing this post out to me!
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