It is the first worship session. I am excited in my expectations of just another normal worship time. The band looks sweet. The people around me are all smiling. Everything is just like every other worship service I have ever attended. Therefore, my expectations were just that. Speaking from hindsight I can tell you that I had no clue what I was getting myself into when I sat down in that sanctuary.
Then first song begins. Definitely a little different than most worship songs I have sang, but the words crawling out of my mouth were honest and very heartfelt. I see people around me begin to really get into the worship. I was a little uncomfortable in this room of dancing strangers, but it still felt right. Then God began to work. My heart started to really receive this worship and God's presence in the room. My voice gradually got louder and my body slowly getting looser. Within minutes I was lost. I do not mean I did not know where I was. I am saying I did not know who I was. I began asking questions like: "Why are my hands up? Why am I dancing like a crazy person? Why am I singing so passionately in a room of complete strangers?" In my bewilderment and awe I answered myself with a smile. That is all I could do! I began to think of David from the Bible, and how he danced for God. I never really understood that passage growing up in my conservative Baptist world, but now that passage makes complete sense to me in so many ways. The Holy Spirit began to become more real to me than it ever has.
My whole view on worship was rocked by the realization that God loves and accepts so many different kinds of worship and praise. My next few days of worship to God was amazing. I was worshiping like I never had before because I let myself be filled with the Holy Spirit. I was dancing, screaming, raising my hands, laughing, and singing; and in it all I was truly worshiping my God.
