Long ago in Sunday School, our teachers taught us proper respect for God. The rules of reverence included:
- Be quiet and solemn in worship
- Bow your head, close your eyes, and fold your hands to pray
- Always treat God’s house with utmost respect
The first rule proved the most difficult to keep. I failed many a Sunday. My legs wanted to swing, my hands wished for crayons and paper, my eyes longed for a book. Would the sermon ever end?!
Years later I came across the Westminster Shorter Catechism, a collection of 107 questions and answers explaining the Christian faith. The list began with, “What is the chief end of man?” The answer shocked me.
The first part made perfect sense. Paul made it clear: “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). But the second part caught me off guard.
Enjoy God?
His blessings and benefits certainly brought me joy. But God himself? How could I enjoy Someone who’s invisible?
Over time I’ve discovered that, although God deserves the utmost reverence and respect, we need not always be solemn. We can laugh and sing for joy in his presence (Psalm 68:3 MSG).
In fact, enthusiastic praise of God, especially in the company of others, is an invigorating way to enjoy him–reveling in who he is—our God of goodness, grace, and love.
We can also celebrate what he’s done—supplying our needs, guiding the way, and surprising us with gifts we didn’t even ask for.
While we’re worshiping, we can lift our hands toward God (Psalm 63:4), augmenting our connection to him. Even hands placed palms up on the lap can add to our enjoyment.
Steve and I learned this posture from one of his seminary professors. After a teaching session on prayer, Dr. Stanger instructed us to place our hands in our laps, palms up.
We sat in silence for a few moments, and suddenly I felt a tingling in my hands! Was the Spirit of God actually holding my hands as we prepared to pray?!
Dr. Stanger explained: the pressure on the backs of our hands caused the phenomenon. But wasn’t it wonderful to imagine God gracing each of us with his personal touch in this way?
Yes, supremely delightful!
We can also take the celebration outside and enjoy God as Creator and King of the universe. For example, look to the sky and contemplate the galaxies of stars. Smile at him in wonder because of their incomprehensible magnitude and indescribable beauty. Consider too, they’re all under his control.
Another way to enjoy God is to delight in his scripture. We can proclaim appreciation to him for the strength, comfort, and peace his Word provides, as well as those passages that bring joy to our hearts (Psalm 119:111).
Those of us who like to write find great pleasure in composing journal entries, poetry, personal psalms, and more, addressed to God, as a way of expressing our delight in him.
Sarah Young, author of Jesus Calling, has inspired some of us to follow her example and go a step further: record thoughts or impressions we receive from God as we wait and listen in his presence (Psalm 25:5; 85:8).
In these ways and more God has made it possible for us to continually enjoy him.
* * * * * * * * * *
Dare I say it? Is it too irreverent? You are FUN, God! I love spending time with you, rejoicing in you, celebrating your works, reveling in your presence, taking delight in our mutual communication.
What a glorious privilege you’ve granted us, Father, to nestle close to you and experience fullness of joy forevermore!
(Psalm 100:1-2; John 10:27; Psalm 65:2; Isaiah 40:11; Psalm 16:11)
(Revised and reblogged from March 15, 2015, while I recover from Covid. My husband tested positive last Wednesday; I succumbed on Saturday. Symptoms have been uncomfortable but tolerable for both of us; we’re on the mend! ‘Will try to write a fresh post for next week.)
Photo credits: http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.canva.com; http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.wikimediacommons.org; http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.canva.com.
From the Inside Out 
a big AMEN in JESUS-YESHUA CHRIST-MESSIAH Sister Nancy!!
Love ❤ Always and Shalom, YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
Thank you, Kristi Ann!
This is so good, so true. Just beautiful. May the breath of God pour into your and your husband’s body, bringing fresh strength and JOY. May worship flow from your lips and the delight of our LORD fill your home. Your writing (though old) is a fresh gift from God. He’s been speaking to me about how He loves His passion and zeal in me and to stop being so ashamed of it but to arise in it (who He is in me) more and more.
Thank you, Anna. I love your prayer: “May worship flow from your lips and the delight of our LORD fill your home.” AMEN to that! As for your last statement, no doubt our passion and zeal for Him do make him smile with pleasure!
Each of us is a unique creation imbued with individual genres of worship that cause our souls to rejoice in Him.
David danced before the Lord with joy in public in his underwear . . . Dare I say it? Is it too irreverent?
Thanks Nancy.
You’re right, Fred, I don’t know too many people following David’s example in that regard–at least in public!! You make a good point: some forms of worship fit our personalities and talents, others do not. It’s for that reason I never joined a liturgical dance team!
Nancy, I love this post. It took me back to the primary class at the Sunday School I attended many, many years ago. We had to learn the Westminster Catechism. Thank you for sharing this and for reminding us that indeed we can find joy in God. Sorry you and Steve have been ill and I hope and pray you will have a rapid and complete recovery and be able to resume and enjoy life again. I’m still in touch with former PW members and we love and miss you as do your many friends at HFUMC.
Thank you, dear Ruth. I’m so glad you’re still in touch with former PW members–please give them all a hello-hug from me! Such wonderful memories of our meetings and luncheons. . . And please know, HFUMC will always hold a special place in our hearts. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there!
I love this post, although I’m sorry you and your husband are dealing with COVID. Praying for quick recovery. Regarding enjoying God, the longer I know Him the more I truly enjoy His presence in my life. He’s a friend like no other.
Your prayers are already being answered, Joy! We’re both feeling much better today. As for your last two statements, AMEN INDEED!
Love your thoughts here today, Nancy. I think some of the best times I have had with God is laughing out loud and singing and dancing with Him. Quite against those rules!
Good for you, Jean! In years past, I “danced” to Christian music for exercise. It was one way that mind, body, and spirit came together in one unifying experience. Haven’t done high-impact aerobics for a long time now, preferring exercises that are easier on the joints. To make the time pass more pleasantly, I do listen to Christian podcasts. As for laughing out loud, the likes of Christian comedians Michael Jr. and Chonda Pierce are sure to bring it on!
Hi Nancy, I am still smiling when I read about you wondering if the sermon would ever end and wanting to swing your leg and also get some crayons. I remember sitting with my Sunday School Class in church. If our teacher would cross his legs, we all would do the same. If he changed his position, we all would do the same thing. I later (teens) loved to hear the word and when I was in Bible school, it was so enjoyable to have discussions of different Bible Subjects. Pilgrim’s Progress was such a powerful book, and I never knew about the slew of despond until later in life. Scripture leads us in every emotion that God allows us to experience. Thanks for this “revised” version. Hope you and Steve continue to improve. Take care! Sam
I don’t know how you and your classmates kept from laughing out loud as you copied your teacher! / You were an “early bloomer” where Bible study was concerned, beginning in earnest as a teenager. Perhaps I was a late-bloomer–becoming interested as a young adult. / I agree: it’s a wonderful thing that Scripture leads us through every emotion that humans can experience! / Steve and I are almost back to normal. Just the cough lingers. Thank you very much for your prayers, Sam!
Praying for you and Steve, Nancy. I enjoy your blogs so much. I have a lot of them saved. I’m behind in reading them. Thank goodness they are timeless. Praise Jesus for that.
Thank you, Diane, for your prayers and for being a faithful reader (even a saver!) of these posts. I am honored.
I’m so sorry that you and Steve have been sick, and I pray that you have or are both fully recovering. But I am thankful that you re-posted this blog. As always, your words as you share God’s words is such an encouragement to me. My husband and I had to change churches several years ago. God led us to a church we never dreamed we would go to and what a joy it has been to us! The worship there is amazing and has been just what we needed. They have JOY in expressing their worship and love of God, and we are able to enter into that expression with fellow believers. What a blessing it has been for us! Take care, Nancy, and may God bless you.
We’re doing much better, Patty–thank you! / I know that changing churches can include a grieving process and take a long time. How wonderful that you found a home among joy-filled believers where worship is a particular blessing. Hallelujah!
I remember having great fun at our Sunday evening grade-school age children’s meetings before the church service. We had Bible drills and games and learned so much along the way. This was a wonderfully enjoyable way to introduce us into God’s word, as well as the memorization of it. I believe God has a great sense of humor. I remember running to get the phone as it rang during our evening dinner when I was a kid. I answered the phone ‘Dear Heavenly Father’! I’m sure He was laughing at this and appreciating the closeness I had (and still do) with Him. Glad you and Steve are feeling better. Prayers for a speedy and complete recovery.
Sometime when I was perhaps 6 or 7 our church instituted Junior Church. That’s where I learned to sing many of the hymns, learned the Books of the Bible, and participated in Bible drills. There was usually a sermonette, flannelgraph story, or object lesson too. Needless to say, that was far superior to sitting through the adult service in the sanctuary! So thankful a handful of people were willing to forego worship every few weeks or so to provide training and age-appropriate content for us!
My favorite day of the week is Sunday, being with my church family, singing together – and yes, I raise my hands, like a toddler waiting for her daddy to pick her up. Studying God’s Word and talking about it with other believers fills me right up. As Jesus said, when we gather in His name, He’s there. I always leave smiling and thanking Him. ❤
Oh yes, worshiping, singing, and studying scripture with brothers and sisters in Christ are spirit-lifting activities for sure. And a church that’s become family is an added blessing!
I’m reading this one ten days after the fact, and praying you’re well on your way to recovery, Nancy. Despite the angle of your message here I’ve always loved the word “reverent”. It speaks to so many characteristics of a respectful relationship with God. I will always remember the Scout Law from Boy Scouts, and its twelve points conclude with “A Scout is Reverent” so the word has been with me since childhood. Having said that, I only need to hear the music of “Lord of the Dance” to know dancing and singing are perfectly respectful as well.
I suppose our goal should be to joyfully celebrate God with enthusiasm, but also with respectful reverence and awe.