I grew up in a conservative Southern Baptist church where services were strictly an hour long. Any extension beyond the allotted time led to shuffling, throat-clearing, and watch-glancing. When it came to expressive dancing for God, many church elders frowned upon the practice, and they only allowed a reverent sway to hymn melodies. Breaking a sweat was definitely a no-no, and loud shouting or cheering were rare occurrences.
As I matured, I began pondering, “Is it irreverent to show animation in church?” This question has lingered in my thoughts over the years, and it surfaced again today.
Today, my church hosted a charismatic guest preacher whose impactful message was nothing short of electrifying. However, as I surveyed the auditorium, a few individuals leaped from their chairs and cheered. I’m not suggesting that the message did not move the congregation, but the atmosphere didn’t quite reach an explosive level.
Throughout my life, I’ve attended sporting events and concerts where I’ve screamed so fervently that my throat remained sore for days. Some might argue that such behavior in those settings is undignified and unladylike. Yet, truthfully, many people, like myself, freely express themselves at concerts, sports events, or nightclubs. They’re unafraid to “break it down” or shout, “That’s my jam.” In those contexts, letting loose is expected and normal. However, when it comes to church, we suddenly adopt a sanctified (or prudish) demeanor.
Why don’t we get that excited for God? Why don’t we holler and cheer for God? They did it in the Bible! In 2 Samuel 6:14, the Bible notes that King David danced before God with “all his might.” This wasn’t a mere sway; in secular terms, David was “getting it in,” dancing unabashedly for God. That’s not to say we should all worship in the same way; we have different personalities—some introverted, others extroverted. The point is, we shouldn’t feel embarrassed or prideful about fully worshiping God, especially when we readily cheer for others in different settings.
I’ll be honest; it took me some time to get used to raising my voice or hands in church. I’m still a work in progress. But I’ve realized that withholding from God what I freely give to man is what’s truly irreverent.
Lord,
I pray that pride or fear doesn’t hinder us from wholeheartedly worshiping you. Allow us to experience the joy that arises from fully committing ourselves to you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!
This blog article was originally posted on That Next Level Thinking.