Daring to Draw Nearer

When you read the Psalms you are immediately drawn to the heart of worship that the various writers experienced and spoke about in great poetical prose. We as Christ followers are commanded to worship the Lord. Our lives are to be expressions of worship in every thought, word and deed to the Lord. That is the “living sacrifice” that Paul speaks of in Romans 12:1, 2. Worship is more than a series of songs at a weekend service, a selected CD or special playlist on an IPod or even a time of God exalting prayer. The above general statements we all know to be true in theory, but what does it really look like in our lives? If the song set during a weekend service is to our liking we say the worship was excellent, and on the contrary when the song selection isn’t. If the music drives your expression of adoration and awe to the Holy then it is time to recalibrate your personal understanding of what you do during the “worship time” at a service or in any other spiritual gathering.

Let me paint you a picture of one way to view this challenge for you to consider.

You are standing with a host of people who have gathered to express their utmost adoration for the Holy one. As the people begin their various modes of “consecration” (A separation or cleansing from whatever is of this world that is unsightly to the Lord), whether that is through repentance, quiet, a particular posture, Bible text, or even speaking in tongues; it is spiritual preparation to encounter the Living God. Many are under the belief that their time of “cleansing” is what will please God the most so they make sure this preparatory time is done with the utmost care and diligence. It is what Martha was doing when Jesus and His disciples decided to hang out at the house with siblings Lazarus and Mary. The others who have gathered for this “time of awe” have simply come because they sensed the Father drawing them into His presence. They aren’t distracted by all the preparations they are simply caught up in the One who has called them by name. This would be Mary in the above story as the metaphor plays out.

So there you stand with the throngs of others in whatever posture you are accustomed to ready to honor the Almighty. The experience continues in various forms of expression, with the Lord inviting you to draw nearer. “Come to me”, “enter in”, “be immersed in My presence” He intimates, but you hesitate. There are so many people, with some that make you feel uncomfortable because their expressions of worship are foreign to you or done in a posture that doesn’t fit your tradition. Now you are distracted, you want to press in but the conflict in your mind becomes a larger obstacle so you contend to stay put. Still, the sweet aroma that permeates from His glorious throne is both intoxicating and compelling. Worship for you has all but stopped, you are still singing, still moving but your mind is in a quandary as to what you should do next. The Spirit continues to lovingly draw you to move closer, to press in even further into His presence. You start to move but notice there other obstacles that are more internal: secrets, idols, lusts, obsessions, heart aches, hurts, unanswered prayers, loved ones, doubts and more. You hear those around you telling you to stay put, even listing the many sins or reasons why you can’t press into His loving presence. What strikes you are the many that have similar obstacles even more intensified then yours are freely and joyously moving closer to the Awesome God. You see those who dare to draw near, whose expressions of worship are intensified in their many forms. You see their exuberant joy and the slight appearance of reflected glory beaming from their faces so much so that you feel your body being pulled forward seemingly magnetically. It is the heart of our Savior longing for you to come even closer, desperately desiring to wrap His loving arms around you in order to fill you with Himself. He whispers for you to come even closer, not at all daunted by your many hesitancies or unsightly sins because He sees you as you will be and not as you are. So you decide to run regardless of the obstacles, not caring over the slightest thought of your personal baggage. You don’t stop running towards Him until your arms embrace His. As your embrace continues, all that was a hindrance all your worldly-selfish junk melts away under the weight of His glory. It will be the first time that you truly experienced His abundant life this side of Heaven all because you dared to draw nearer.