The classical music on the television caught my attention as I stopped clicking through the stations one Sunday afternoon. I was tired and looking for some kind of distraction and relaxation from the long weekend and day.
The music was set to a video of outdoor scenery and I was mesmerized. I breathed in and sighed deeply as the music seemed to wash over my weary soul. The video showed scenery of a gentle, fall thunderstorm. Nature in synchronized unison accompanied the violins and flutes. Trees swayed in rhythm with the winds. Droplets of water falling into a pond were like fingers on a keyboard. Each raindrop pressing a note, the resounding echo played out over the water's surface.
I sat spell bound, as though watching a picture of creation's Conductor leading His orchestra on the face of the waters. Each drop of rain formed circles on the water’s surface rolling over one another, yet in perfect orchestration and harmony to the music.
I laughed in delight getting a glimpse of the Master Musician at work. It also eased my earlier grief from the morning's worship at church. I had sat with a friend who was not accustomed to such an emotional display of worship. The worship leader had encouraged audience participation in standing, clapping hands, and singing along. I loved it! My whole being cried out to adore God and to express worship in that way.
Turning to my friend I said, “Don't you just love it?'' I was stunned by her crisp retort of, "I'm having a hard time with all of this." Suddenly, I felt hindered to show passionate worship worried I would offend her. And now instead of being able to praise God freely, I held back from what my heart was crying to express.
Worship oftentimes demands an emotional and expressive response. It is the outward display of an inward reality. We are the created responding to the Creator. We are the instruments from which He longs to lead in chords of worship and adoration, in sync and rhythm to the Maestro.
If we don't praise Him, the rocks will cry out and praise Him. It says all creation declares His praise and His glory. Even the trees of the field clap their hands and wave their branches for joy before the Creator. If all creation expresses His praise in demonstrative form, can our worship be any less?
While watching the video and hearing the music set in perfect orchestration to nature, I realized creation’s purpose, like mine, is to worship God. And I stood and raised my hands with my voice in sweet surrender.
Beloved:
You were created to worship Me and it delights My soul when you draw close and express the emotions of your heart to Me. All of creation is but a picture of My love for you and a picture of My glory. Yes, surely the rocks and trees and all of nature and creation sings My praise, but also paints a picture of My great love for you. Enter into that worship today and My delight over you.
“I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.” (Ps. 9:1)
"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." (Isaiah 55:12)
