Go Crazy in Worship

How often have you been in church and felt like the worship service was stuffy? I know that I have: everyone is dressed up and still, repeating words off a screen or out of a book, without any real passion or heartfelt worship going on. While I am not innocent of this kind of "worship," it is something that troubles me deeply, and is blatantly unbiblical.

We have a God worthy of praise (Psalm 18:3), a God who deserves our utmost worship (Psalm 96:1-13), a God that is completely in charge of everything He made (Isaiah 40:28). He is the King of the Universe, the Lord of Lords, and has defeated both sin and death. Is not this kind of God one who is worthy and deserving of our worship? Doesn't He deserve everything we can throw at Him, all to exalt Him above everything?

King David got this concept in 2 Samuel 6:16. Let's look here:

"When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord..." -2 Samuel 6:16b, NIV

When the ark of the covenant was brought into Jerusalem for the first time, David was so pumped about Jesus that he was literally leaping and dancing in the streets praising God, much like a little kid on Christmas. He was so thrilled about God and His glory and that His throne was coming to the capital city that he couldn't contain himself.

Meanwhile, in the same verse, we see his wife Michal had a different attitude. The end of verse 16 says that "she despised him in her heart" when she saw him acting a fool for God. She didn't understand the idea of making yourself look like an idiot to show your love and passion for God. She was a restrained worshipper of God, and looked down on David for his actions.

Have you ever felt this way in worship? I feel like most of us probably have: we see that person raising their hands, dancing, etc. before God, and we act like they are being "holier than thou." While that may be the case, it could be that they are enjoying God to the fullest. They are simply pouring their heart out before God, and your are judging them for doing exactly what you should be doing.

We see later in chapter 6 that Michal and David have a chat about Dave's worship practices. Michal tells him that he is a "vulgar fellow," and pretty much tells him that he should get his act together. I mean, what would people think?! David is the king of Israel; he should be a reserved leader. But David tells her that he would continue to make a fool of himself for God, and that anyone with God's interests at heart would do the same.

Are you willing to act a fool for God and go all out in your praise and worship of Him? I challenge you this week in your service to actually read the words of the songs you are singing. Think about what you are saying in those songs, and then sing them like you mean it. I'm not saying you have to break dance down the center aisle; I'm saying we should all put some thought and heart into our worship. Let's quit being robotic towards our God, and get passionate.