Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? – 1 Corinthians 14:7
As Christians, we are all called to praise and worship God. What we are not called to do is to praise and worship God in the same way as others do. But what does the “same way” mean?
Praising, worshipping and even praying the same way is very easily done. We see someone raise their hands while they are singing, and we think we should be doing the same thing and so we do. A lot of what we do is copied behaviour and we think that it is the way it should be done, even though we don’t really want to do it.
There are times when you don’t feel like getting down on your knees to pray or standing up to sing. Sometimes you want to sit in quiet contemplation but because others are standing or kneeling you feel you have to because you don’t want to be the odd one out or be criticised for not loving God as much as others.
People get so bogged down in ritual and perceived concepts of how things should be done when you praise, worship, pray or even study the bible that they forget that God made them an individual. We were designed by God to love and show love to Him in our own unique ways.
God didn’t want a bunch of robots to worship Him but individuals who can express their faith in a variety of forms. If we all sounded and did the same things, there would be no way to reach the individuals who don’t know God. However, it today’s world a lot of what Christians do inside, and outside church lacks individuality.
To God, it doesn’t matter how you pray, praise, worship, study or show your love to Him as long as you do. Of course, there are certain things that the Bible says we can’t do but the Bible also tells that we all distinct. In the end, we are only accountable to God and not to the person sitting next to you in church who frowns at you for not standing up, with your hands in the air, singing passionately like they are.
All the things we do to show God our love for Him, should be based on how we feel and who we are. If you an introvert who feels more comfortable sitting down, closing your eyes and singing quietly then do it. Expressing your love to God should be as individual as you are…it’s the way God wants you and it to be.
There are many ways we can express our love to God. Some people praise and worship God through other means such as writing or helping others. It is truly a case of whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.
So, if you are praising and worshipping God in the same way others do, then maybe it’s time to change. God put things inside of us to express our individuality, not just in the everyday thing but in the God things. Maybe your individuality in expressing your love to God, is a tune that someone else will hear, causing them to join in, creating their own special notes in the symphony of worship.
Originally published June 2019