Genuine Worship

How do I meet God? Sometimes I find him on the shore of Lake Michigan, when I am far enough away from Downtown that the constant drone of traffic isn't a distraction. Often times, I find Him in the worship of many saints gathered together. Whether it be young children belting out the words at the top of their lungs, or my fellow students praising the name of the King in chapel. That is where I met Him today, but it raised many questions in my heart and mind concerning how genuine my heart and emotions really are. As I worship through song, when certain songs are sung with words that I feel I truly relate to, it stirs up a lot of emotion in me. I tear up, and I tremble, and I feel so much joy its overwhelming. Yet, if I sing these songs alone, in the privacy of my room, I wonder if I would feel the same way. The heart of the issue is that I do not want to just feel these strong feelings about God just through an occasional worship chapel at Moody, but in my every day life. It is not that I want to walk around campus weeping and trembling, but I do long to know the presence of God in the same powerful way without the context of a thousand other people singing with me. What I am trying to say is that I want to know that the joy and emotion that I feel is truly sincere, truly impressed by God, and not merely the product of being in a 'super spiritual' context where 'everybody is doing it'. I want the joy of the Lord to fill me every day, to get a glimpse of the Almighty God in just quietly reading my Bible. 

I have also noticed that I am also more prone to pour out my heart to God, to confess my sins, to hunger for Him more in general, when I am in these settings. When there is a 'worship leader' to tell me how to pray, and to tell me how to really talk to God. This is not a bad thing at all, but once again, it needs to be in my every day life, and not just in these chapels...

This morning was wonderfully refreshing, and called me to recognize God not just as a loving Father, but the truly powerful creator that I am unworthy of coming before. It is my earnest prayer that I will seek God as such in my day to day life, to have powerful worship of Him not just in song, but in every action, every breath. 

Everyone needs compassionA love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations
Savior He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
And fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender I surrender
Savior He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave (x2)
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus (x2)