For anyone who knows me, they have heard me say, and to be candid, demonstrate in several ways how much I feel perfectly and wholly at home in church. There is a rare time when I would walk in the doors that I don’t feel a deep sense of peace and anticipation of what I am about to experience. Perhaps it stemmed from being exposed to a lively and energetic early childhood experience in a Brethren church, or, from being very involved in each church service for many years as a church organist, choir member and/or accompanist or youth and youth theater leader. I obviously found many ways to get involved.
Even after those aspects of my church experience sunset, and I became a participant like the many other church attendees, the feelings I had went walking in to a church of any kind, remained.
When we started attending a non-denominational church, I truly felt home once again. Not that I hadn’t embraced the ritual and liturgical aspects of a much more solemn and rigidly predictable Lutheran church, but the self-expression I felt was invited in this new church and was experienced by many, revitalized my love of church once again.
I will admit however, that the first time I saw a fellow church member raise their hand while singing worship songs, I looked over with wonder. Had I done that as a young child and forgotten? I don’t think so. Had I seen that while attending a lively Pentecostal church with elementary school friends? I really don’t think so, although… I did see a few things that I honestly wasn’t sure how to describe. They could surely manifest the Holy Spirit in ways I’ve never quite been able to understand.
Yet, it didn’t take me long, until one weekend, a song my oldest daughter and I both loved and would sing louder than some people perhaps truly appreciated, started and we both raised our hands with the biggest smiles and yes… it felt as natural as anything I have ever done. It’s hard to describe truly… it’s simply another way for me (for us) to worship and praise our God who has and will continue to do so much for us. We’ve both continued to do it for probably 15 years or so and I doubt we will ever stop.
It was sometime last year though, that I noticed something that deeply touched me. During the midst of a praise and worship song I looked over and saw a big, muscular, more biker-looking father, raise his hands to heaven and sang out with all his might. I scanned the room and could see many more women with their hands raised, but each time I caught a glimpse of a guy, man or even young boy raising his hands, my heart melted. Why you may ask?
I think it’s because I personally see men as much more vulnerable to the assessment and perhaps criticism of fellow men, even Christians, unfortunately. They are meant to be stoic, to be firm, confident and not so submissive. But I also see them as leaders of their families with incredible influence and ability to steer the family into a specific direction and keep them there by the example they set. I can only imagine what wonder a child has when he sees his father raise his hands in praise!
Years ago, I had the opportunity to attend a church service at Teen Challenge. At first, it seemed that it would just be another service. It wasn’t until a song started that most of the guys knew that everything changed. I found myself holding tightly to the pew in front of me as 40 or so men (that aren’t the type you typically see in church) sang their hearts out with hands raised in praise. It was a sight and sound I’ll never forget. It seemed at those very moments, the pain, struggle and lack of faith, was washed away by their voices and hands raised to the One who gave them hope. That was an experience I looked forward to again and again.
As I was looking for just the right version of a song I knew would be perfect for today’s post, I saw a comment below the You Tube I’m sharing of the song “The Stand” written by Michael W. Smith, performed by Hillsong. The gentlemen wrote…
“Can’t get any simpler than this. “I’ll stand with arms high and heart abandoned”!
What else could I do or say in the presence of the mighty King of Kings, the one and only Messiah, Jesus!”
I think he described how I feel, perfectly. Thank you, sir.
Perhaps you feel the same way that I do, or perhaps you wouldn’t feel comfortable raising your hands at all. (Most of my family and friends don’t either). What I want for you today is to do, say and feel, whatever makes you most comfortable, but promise me you’ll do so WITH ABANDON, to the One who gave it all! Dive in to whatever it is that stirs your heart with just as much emotion, that is confirmation to yourself and those around you that you are believing in our one and only Messiah with all your heart, mind and soul and that you want others to know that, at the moment, and always.
WE WILL NEVER STOP WITH ARMS LIFTED HIGH!!!