a few weeks ago, talking with my sister, she told me of a guy she had met at college. just friends, though. no future brother in law here.
and they got into the topic of religion. and one of the things that he said, got me thinking and at the same time i thought it was curious that people observe such things.
he said that he didn't really go to church because it bothered him that people cry in church and wondered why they cry.
it was confusing to him why someone would cry when nothing sad was going on.
that was more than a month ago, but just yesterday this conversation came back to me, and i thought more upon it.
why do believers cry in church? why do believers cry during worship?
we cry tears of joy at being gifted the greatest prize of them all. one that we could not earn, no matter how much we tried. one that we could not pay, no matter how much money we could have. it was gifted, freely!...
...at being chosen by a new beautiful name, when the past has called us failures, unworthy, ashamed, guilty. we have been picked out individually to be royal priesthood. at being made free! (1 peter 2:9)
(galatians 5:1)
we cry tears from comfort, knowing we never will walk this life alone. even when life gets extremely overwhelming to the point of breaking, we can run to arms that are always, always, open and be comforted. (deuteronomy 31:6) (hebrews 13:5)
we cry tears of thankfulness. standing in front of the one who loves us beyond our imagination. the one who would give everything in a split second and already has for us. the one who writes our story and let me tell you, it's a good one! (john 3:16) (romans 8:35-39)
we cry tears of sorrow when we are taken through the fire and our hearts hurt in the middle of it all. although we know that the end result is always for our refinement and good. (jer 29:11) (zechariah 13:9)
life can get painful at times, yet when we are in the middle of worship, we remember reasons the reasons above and cry some more because we are blessed indeed.
believers may be big cry babies to some, but man, when i think about it, it's for really darn good reasons. reasons that non believers should also have the chance to know.
we are chosen, free, loved, comforted, refined, and never alone.
hallelujah, let the waterworks begin!
what's your favorite part of worship?
1 peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery
deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
john 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
zechariah 13:9 This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.'"
3 comments:
Loved this post! This past Sunday, our pastor began a new sermon series on worship. He discussed how worship is more than a certain style, but it is a lifestyle. He mentioned the various styles of worship (how we raise our hands, swaying, etc.). In worship, sometimes we can get tied up in who's around us and what other people are doing....instead of focusing on God. Worship is a lifestyle, one that we should live daily.
--Ami
P.S. I'm also one of those people that cry during worship. ;)
Oh gosh..just call me a cry baby. I readily accept. I do understand his position if you aren't totally familiar with the love, patience, grace and mercy He so readily gives! I pray He knows one day though because it is something that still brings me to my knees!
I wish he were able to read this post! It's so sad that crying would be the reason he gives for not going to church.
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