By: Amanda Rich
When I first came to Hope Point Church, I was overwhelmed. But not in a bad way. I was overwhelmed with the Holy Spirit. But I didn’t know that is what it was at first. I just thought I was overwhelmed.
The music was loud, concert loud and it was AMAZING! But people were dancing at the altar, swaying with their hands in the air and shouting out! I was like “what the what is happening here!?”
But I was hooked from Day 1.
It took some time but over the months, I realized when I raised my hands, even just a tiny little bit and closed my eyes and listened to the words of the music, my anxiety was lifted, I felt renewed. It was refreshing and SCARY AS ALL GET OUT! Are people watching me, judging me, laughing at me. I was way over thinking, but as I started to step out of my comfort zone, my faith was being stretched and I was growing my relationship with God! It was exciting and beautiful.
God knew where I was meant to be, and I just could tell this was where I needed to be. But I had NO IDEA what he had in store for me, and thus my journey began. I started in the Media booth, running the slides. Learning the songs. I really enjoyed doing that, singing the harmonies and the words in the dark booth, where no one was paying attention. I loved my role there. Little did I know, God was preparing me for something so much more. A year and some change after I had been in the booth, I was asked to audition for our worship team.
Um, what? I’m not singing in front of people. Our team is amazing! I am not good enough to be up there. All these scared, nervous not good enough thoughts were going through my brain up until audition day. I just prayed all day not to screw it up. I still didn’t know what true worship felt like.
Joining the worship team took me so out of my comfort area. And as we changed our name, and the church started to grow, so did I. After some time, I was asked to become a Leader. My journey only just beginning, it wasn’t until then that I started to really learn and understand. And I want to share it, because everyone should know, and understand and realize why we do it in the first place. It’s not because we love attention and want to be on stage (at least not for me, I was flipping terrified and still get nervous) but because it’s a calling. God has called us all to worship and praise. Definitely not everyone is called to lead worship, but we are all made to worship. He doesn’t say make “perfect, beautiful noise” He said make “joyful noise” and pretty much everyone can at least shout. I know that much. Here is just my thoughts on worshipping God. Some people won’t agree, or won’t like what I have to say but I’m just speaking my truth and my experience.
When we raise hands, we are surrendering. We are showing God that whatever we are going through, we are giving it up to Him. He knows the plans He has for us, and we should trust that He knows.
If you are uncomfortable raising your hands, that is ok. When you fully understand the act of worship, you will gladly come to worship with acts of praise. Praise and Worship go hand in hand.
Until you are comfortable, close your eyes and just listen to the words of the music.
The worship team is not for entertainment purposes, but to usher in the presence. To fill you and the room with the holy spirit. The words are encouraging and exalting to God and are meant to help you.
When we sing, shout, dance, mime, etc.. the heavens roar!
We are born to worship, music was made by God so that we could sing His praise!
So when you go to that rock concert, and you are going crazy over Brian May’s guitar solo, just remember who created music in the first place. And chances are, you are shouting and singing along to the music, waving your hands and jumping, it’s Queen, I get it. But why wouldn’t you do the same for Jesus? We should be excited and ready to come for worship. You should be worshipping in your car, or in your shower, or cleaning your house. We should want to give thanks to God for all he has done.
And if you are still on the fence, still sad and unsure, and life is difficult and you don’t much feel like praising, I get that too.
I battle with depression, and even one Sunday at practice was so unsure that I could be on stage, I was crying and just felt the enemy attacking me from every angle, and someone told me that the enemy WILL ATTACK YOU when he knows your purpose God has for you. ALL of us are made to worship. When you are sad, and you don’t feel like you can make it through another day, GOD is there, and when we give him that vulnerability and that sadness, and we just sing His praise, He can take all of those feelings away. I tell you that morning, through tears, I pushed through and felt the Holy Spirit grab me out of that sadness, and just wash it away and it makes the experience of worship so much more beautiful because you know He is there. It’s raw and it’s real!
God is there for you, through all of your sorrow.
He does not create the sorrow, but he is there to hold you through it.
If we look to him to blame him, because sometimes it’s easier to blame God and to be angry with Him. After all, he isn’t here in person and it seems easier to blame someone you cannot see. I understand that sentiment. But when you take that energy from being mad and sad or whatever that negative feeling is, and dedicate it to Him. Worship when you are angry! Tell him you are angry!
If you are dating or married, you would tell that person if they have made you mad, and God is no different!! Cry out to Him. Let Him know! Get those feelings off your chest. You will build your relationship even stronger. Don’t let the enemy get in your head and tell you otherwise. He has already taken control of so many minds, we must fight back. And guess what the best, most effective way to fight back is.
WORSHIP AND PRAISE.
The enemy can’t be in a room with people who are fully devoting their attention to the amazing things God has to offer and has planned in their lives. Exalt His Name!
There is no other name worthy of our praise!
There is no other name that can wash away our sins!
There is no other name that can move mountains!
His name is above all other names, all other sicknesses, all other mental disorders, all other weakness, all of sin. With just one prayer of repentance, you are forgiven with no questions asked.
He is mighty, He is gracious, He is good, he is WORTHY OF OUR PRAISE!
Why would you deny Him?
SO today, while you are driving to work, or to pick up your kids or run errands, what ever you are doing today that you have speaker, whether it be Youtube, Spotify, Amazon Music, Whatever platform you are using, just turn on some worship music.
Type in “Worship Playlist” it’s that easy.
The top songs will probably come up. I’m not just talking about K Love (Which is also amazing) I’m talking about raw, heart felt worship music. There is just something about a live set, that everyone is feeling the holy spirit, and the leaders are just praying, worshipping and prophesying. It is beautiful. And you will feel the sprit moving through you all day.
Worship is a feeling you should experience every day. It should take your tears and sadness, and turn them to tears of thankful joy. It’s ok to cry and worship. He is moving in your life every day, and through the music and the words, we allow him to do what only He can do. Miraculous things.
Give it to God today.
Worship. Pray. Sing. Dance. Cry. Raise a Hallelujah.
Because He is most worthy of all of those things, and more. And from personal experience, I promise through it all, if you focus your eyes and your heart on Him, He will come through, and He will ease whatever is ailing you.
Rich Beauty 