There are times when I can feel the Holy Spirit prompting me to do something, and it's easy to ignore Him and move on with my own agenda. Thennn, there are times when I know that I know, that I'm about to miss out on something huge if I don't go where God is saying to go. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is faithful to come up and subtly (or not so subtly!) propel me forward.
I don't know what kind of church you attend, or what worship style you're used to...but I'm so grateful to be in a body of people that isn't offended when someone (myself) suddenly starts sobbing or dancing in the middle of worship. Looking at this year thus far, I can now clearly define several areas where God has checked my heart and caused my perspective to align with His. Specifically in the area of dancing, I realized that I have taken this gift for granted all too often, as if it was my decision to decide when/where/how/why I dance. (which it is, but I see it more as a choice to surrender all of those parameters to God and walk in HIS will....does that make sense?) I've had several moments this year, where I've desperately wanted to dance, but was not physically capable of doing so...gave me a new gratitude for the fact that God examines our hearts during worship, not how high our hands are raised our how loudly we're singing.
But now that I can dance again - why don't I?! If God has given me a way to worship Him that allows me to expressively pour out my heart to Him...aren't I robbing God of His Glory if I choose to do the minimum, when He has equipped me with so much more? Church was amazing tonight (as always, praise the Lord!), and you could feel the definite push of the Holy Spirit going on all evening. I finally responded and began dancing...I have no idea what I did, but that's okay, because all I could do was try to express how my life is nothing without Him and how in love I am with my sustaining Love. I mean, if I continued to simply stand in my spot, I don't believe I would have sincerely been giving God my all.
When I got home this evening, God kept connecting the dots, and reminded me of what I had read in my quiet time this morning:
"Instead of grasping and controlling, you are learning to release and receive." - Jesus Calling (p326)
I was able to start dancing, because I had released my pride and my burdens and was ready to receive the garment of praise that God has for me. Worth it.
Plus, with all of the internal renovation God was working in me - it wasn't for me - it's all for HIS Glory! So it's no surprise that I found myself in Psalm 29 earlier this morning, as well.
Ahh, LORD, You are Glorious! May my life be a reflection of Your perfection...
Psalm 29 (ESV)
Ascribe to the LORD Glory
A Psalm of David.
1Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
3The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the LORD, over many waters.
4The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
5The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire. 8The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth
and strips the forests bare,
and in his temple all cry, "GLORY!"
10The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
11May the LORD give strength to his people!
May the LORD bless his people with peace!
