How do we praise God
Currently, i'm reading the book of psalms.. and it reminded me of what i've learned last semester about the relationship between God and Israel. It was such a wonderful relationship - full of praise, dancing, shouting, playing tambourines, laughter, and art. So colourful! So different from what we see today...
I know that we rarely enjoy ourselves as a Christian these days- we rarely shout, dance and sing for JOY in our suffering and gladness. It almost feels like we are NOT allowed to! Not allowed to sing worship songs outside church - not allowed to dance a happy dance in church - not allowed to shout of gladness in the church. Church is a formal thing where we come and respect God (that scary always angry yet loving God). We can't bring anything "unworthy" or "unclean" in church such as laughter - humor - dance - joy. because it's inappropriate. Must wear formal clothes. Must wear shoes. Must not use inappropriate language. Must be polite - not raising one's voice.
Yes that's my view of church services - Sunday services anyway. Seems like - for the sake of being religious and holy and appropriate before God - we get rid of the very thing that God asks us to do which is to ENJOY HIM. Enjoy a relationship with Him. To sing a happy song and shout joyful words because He is good!
Well - when you think about it again - king David was mocked by his own WIFE because he danced for the Lord like a lunatic- which clearly shows that people will look down upon us for loving God. Religious people will tell us to enjoy God in a humanely way. Religious people will not allow us to enjoy God at all!! It's inappropriate to enjoy God - to "use" Him for our selfish motivation.
But is it selfish? Is it selfish to truly enjoy the wonderful relationship we have with this MArvellous wonderful and loving God? I don't think so!
So consider me crazy. Consider me a lunatic - but i want to praise Him. I want to be passionate about Him. I want to enjoy this wonderful relationship with Him. I want to sing songs - claps - enjoy a great wonderful feast in His presence. I want to enjoy this relationship with Him in every aspect of my life! Because this joy inside of me is just too much for me to keep - i'm afraid if i try to keep and suppress it, it will BURST and explode!
Yes i want to eat with Him. Sing for Him. Dance for Him. Scream to Him. Jump for Him. I want to be joyful in Him! Laugh when someone makes a mistakes rather than fine them for it. Accept the fact that i am silly and embarrasing. Laugh with my sisters and brothers in Christ. Joke about my inability. Be grateful for being shaped and taught by God's harsh (and often painful) teaching.
I know that we rarely enjoy ourselves as a Christian these days- we rarely shout, dance and sing for JOY in our suffering and gladness. It almost feels like we are NOT allowed to! Not allowed to sing worship songs outside church - not allowed to dance a happy dance in church - not allowed to shout of gladness in the church. Church is a formal thing where we come and respect God (that scary always angry yet loving God). We can't bring anything "unworthy" or "unclean" in church such as laughter - humor - dance - joy. because it's inappropriate. Must wear formal clothes. Must wear shoes. Must not use inappropriate language. Must be polite - not raising one's voice.
Yes that's my view of church services - Sunday services anyway. Seems like - for the sake of being religious and holy and appropriate before God - we get rid of the very thing that God asks us to do which is to ENJOY HIM. Enjoy a relationship with Him. To sing a happy song and shout joyful words because He is good!
Well - when you think about it again - king David was mocked by his own WIFE because he danced for the Lord like a lunatic- which clearly shows that people will look down upon us for loving God. Religious people will tell us to enjoy God in a humanely way. Religious people will not allow us to enjoy God at all!! It's inappropriate to enjoy God - to "use" Him for our selfish motivation.
But is it selfish? Is it selfish to truly enjoy the wonderful relationship we have with this MArvellous wonderful and loving God? I don't think so!
So consider me crazy. Consider me a lunatic - but i want to praise Him. I want to be passionate about Him. I want to enjoy this wonderful relationship with Him. I want to sing songs - claps - enjoy a great wonderful feast in His presence. I want to enjoy this relationship with Him in every aspect of my life! Because this joy inside of me is just too much for me to keep - i'm afraid if i try to keep and suppress it, it will BURST and explode!
Yes i want to eat with Him. Sing for Him. Dance for Him. Scream to Him. Jump for Him. I want to be joyful in Him! Laugh when someone makes a mistakes rather than fine them for it. Accept the fact that i am silly and embarrasing. Laugh with my sisters and brothers in Christ. Joke about my inability. Be grateful for being shaped and taught by God's harsh (and often painful) teaching.
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