EXTRAVAGANT Worship!

Scripture: Matthew 26:6-13  - And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.” But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”
           
When was the last time you worshipped God like nobody was watching? I mean really worshipped Him … not for what He has done or what His Word says He can do for you, but just for Who He is!! Almost like it’s just you and Him. Uncontrolled tears and emotions poured out simply because He’s God! I wonder what it would be like if all of us worshipped like that all at one time, on one accord?? Would it be a sweet, sweet sound to His ear?? Or a chaotic clashing sound of confusion?

Think about it: a typical Sunday morning experience. Folks dressed in their Sunday best, greeting each other with smiles and hugs, choosing their favorite seat as they settle in before service starts. The worship leader steps to the microphone, greets the congregants with words of exhortation, offers a word of prayer and moves aside as praise and worship begins.

What if the praise and worship leader starts singing a song that the choir, praise team and/or musicians aren’t familiar with? It’s like having a team of people who don’t know the direction or vision of their leader. But when we are all on one accord – musicians, singers, congregants, ushers, etc. – the flow of the Holy Spirit is amazing! When we are all focused on the audience of One, when we set the atmosphere, the worship experience is enhanced to levels unexplainable!

When we worship, we should see only God. We should be willing to be open and exposed before Him (He already knows everything about us anyway.)  -- Withholding nothing, surrendering our all to Him. sing songs of praise to Him, adore Him, thank Him! Do it in such a way that brings glory to Him! Let Him know how much you appreciate Him. You may ‘get ugly’ for Him, but think of Mary with her alabaster box – the fragrant oil she anointed Jesus with was precious and expensive. Worship, true worship will cost you something, but He is worth it. He is so WORTHY!!

So the next time you are worshipping, privately or publicly, keep your mind focused on God. Worship like it’s just you and Him. Worship like nobody is watching … and technically, they shouldn’t be. Worship is not a spectator sport. It requires crowd participation!

Prayer: Dear Lord, I long to worship You in spirit and in truth. Forgive me for the times I made worship about me and others instead of You! Help me remember the purpose of worship. Help me remember the passion that should be behind my worship. You and You alone are worthy! There is none like You in all the earth, in all the world! Just the thought of You wanting to inhabit my praises blows me away! You want to sit with me, sup with me, love on me … even when I am not in a place to receive all that You choose to bless me with! Oh my soul cries out HALLELUJAH!!! Thank You God for saving me! Thank You for choosing me before the world began to be Your child and to be able to lift my hands and my voice in praise as I continue to stand in awe of You! In Jesus’ Name I always pray … Amen!!

(by Cassaundra Turner)