Worship Through It
It’s been a pretty crappy week in my neck of the woods. Anyone else? I’ve had two bad physical blows that nearly took the wind out of my sails. We’ve all been there I know. But as I sat and thought on this I knew I was being presented with a “choice”.
We can’t change what comes to us or by whose hand it comes. The only thing we can control is how we respond to what comes. Of course I wanted to scream obscenities, punch people, break things and pout a good while. Those actions would have felt good to my flesh but would not have served any other purpose, other than landing me in jail depending on whom I punched…I don’t look good in orange anyway.
Then the Hillsong song “So Will I” came on the radio (not a coincidence I’m sure) and the lyrics hit me like a two by four…surely this was God’s answer to my situation…
And as You speak
A hundred billion galaxies are born
In the vapor of Your breath the planets form
If the stars were made to worship so will I
I can see Your heart in everything You’ve made
Every burning star
A signal fire of grace
If creation sings Your praises so will I
And as You speak
A hundred billion creatures catch Your breath
Evolving in pursuit of what You said
If it all reveals Your nature so will I
I can see Your heart in everything You say
Every painted sky
A canvas of Your grace
If creation still obeys You so will I
If the stars were made to worship so will I
If the mountains bow in reverence so will I
If the oceans roar Your greatness so will I
For if everything exists to lift You high so will I
If the wind goes where You send it so will I
If the rocks cry out in silence so will I
If the sum of all our praises still falls shy
Then we’ll sing again a hundred billion times
No matter what is going on in our lives or how devastating it may be we have the choice to worship God IN IT. We could complain, gripe, vent to our friends or any number of things, but those reactions won’t produce what we need. They only allow space for our emotions to release and still leave us with what we started with.
But choosing to worship God in the midst of our heartache, tears and frustrations will create a right heart in us, a heart that turns to our Creator in worship and thanksgiving. It can change the whole outlook on our situation by the simple choice and act of worship.
When Jesus approached Jerusalem the crowds began to cry out in worship. The Pharisees told him to rebuke them. Jesus response was, “I tell you, if they keep silent, the very stones will cry out.” Why….because all of creation was made to worship God.
Worship releases whatever we are going through into the hands of a mighty, sufficient and loving God. He alone has the answers that we need anyway. For all of our questions, frustrations, and attitudes He has so much grace and mercy! If creation can reveal His nature then SO WILL I, if the stars, creation, the mountains, oceans, wind and rocks can worship God then SO WILL I…