Make a Joyful Noise
It was Sunday morning in Bluefields, Nicaragua, when I took a walk that changed my life. I was crossing a bridge over a small stream that runs through the beautiful town of Bluefields when I heard the congregation of a church about 200 yards away that had gathered to worship. The worship service included drums, guitars, organs, tambourines, a piano and voices that just lifted the Word to heaven. My senses just came alive and it was so exciting!
I don’t have a clue what the voices were singing because it was all in Spanish and way beyond my Español 101. The worship service I heard as I walked was so exhilarating and beautiful that it made me stop and think, “If someone passes by your church this Sunday morning, would the worship music they hear or the preaching that flows to the outside draw them to come inside and hear more?” Think about this the next time you gather at church.
If you lead worship at your church is it done in spirit and truth, allowing the Holy Spirit to flow freely or is it performed in such as way that appears more like entertainment than worship? If you’re the pastor are you preaching the Word in an uncompromising manner spoken with such love that it creates a hunger in people to draw closer to Christ? Each member of a church also has a role to play in the body of Christ and out in the world. I encourage you today to think about the message you send to people beyond the four walls of your church. How do people define Christianity when they examine your walk with the Lord?
I would like to also remind you that worship can take place anywhere, not just in church on Sunday mornings. You can freely worship Jesus as you are driving to work, as you are cleaning your house and anytime you feel a stirring in your spirit to praise Him. If you possess musical talent, then use it for the honor and glory of God.
The book of Psalms is filled with evidences of worship unto God. We read in Psalm 98:4-6:
“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—shout for joy before the LORD, the King.”
If you were able to wake up this morning than you have reason enough to shout to the Lord and praise Him.
