If handing offering our bodies is our spiritual act of worship, how do we do this in an authentic way as lead-worshipers at Genesis? Let me take liberty in offering that there is much more. But for today let's take a look at one small side of this idea.
How do we respond to God's love in worship, giving our bodies and our lives? For me this was a learned, experiential journey. When I first heard worship music and would go to church I would hear the songs being sung and would feel much more than when I listened on the radio. However, it wasn't clear what I was experiencing. I was a skeptic to say the least, I didn't think God would allow me to experience Him in such a real and powerful way. My eyes would be drawn to the raised arms in the air in front of me, and I would think is that real? Is that a way to get attention or... (jealously, enviously) do they have something... are they experiencing something I'm missing out on?
The first time I raised my hands, because I wanted to, during a song was in a single moment the most frightening and freeing experience in worship I have ever had. But had I never seen that very outpouring of demonstrative response, I may have never tried it, at least not while anyone else was around. And even today, I feel a bit of apprehension when I lift my hands and I know others can see me where I am at. (Just to be clear, I'm not saying our church needs to become more demonstrative or anything we are not authentically, but I think there are areas of worship that you have to slowly wade into as a person who is disconnected with God - as we all are on some level).
My questions go deeper, but let's start there. Is a response to God during times of worship as natural as we sometimes say it is or should be, or is it possibly something that is learned through the very journey and experience of it all? Furthermore, should we (and how do we) encourage people to take those next steps in responding to God?
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