We have recently introduced a new song at church, We Praise You by Bethel. Our pastor touched on a line from the first verse that impacted him. It says, "Let praise be a weapon that overcomes anxiety." Yes and Amen! There is a different line that impacted me. The bridge says:
This is what living looks like
This is what freedom feels like
This is what heaven sounds like
We Praise You We Praise You
I know not everyone is as into music as I am, but for me there is something exciting about thinking ahead to what Heaven will be like. Revelation 4 and 5 depict "four living creatures" and angels crying out "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty" and "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." To think, one day we will get to add our voices to those in praise! Wow! But why wait? We can get started right now. As a worship leader there is no greater joy for me than to hear the people I am leading sing at the top of their lungs to their Creator.
Now I have had people tell me all the time, "Oh I have a terrible voice, you don't want to hear me sing." I have two typical responses to that:
1. God made your voice and you better believe He wants to hear it singing praises to Him. Psalm 33:3 tells the musicians, "...play skillfully on the strings..." But Psalm 95:1 says to everyone, "Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!" A joyful NOISE! God doesn't care what you think your voice sounds like, He wants to hear it!
2. At our church, this is why we play the music at the volume we do, so you can sing out and most of the noise you make will be covered by the sound from the speakers. Feel free to let go and praise God, that's what you are gathered for!
Sing out! Raise your hands to God. Worship Him with all your might. When we praise Him, this IS what living looks like; this IS what freedom feels like; and if this is what Heaven sounds like, let's get this party started!
Blessings,
Chris
