Worship--God does inhabit the praises of His people

This morning at church was wonderful. While we (the worship team) were practicing this morning before the first service, I found myself longing for us as a team to spend some time praying and worshipping together.

That sounds funny because we're the worship team, so let me explain. Of course we worship together all the time. Every time we practice. Every time we lead the church in praise, we truly are worshipping together. But during those times it's usually more structured. We are leading, so even though we are worshipping, we are also paying attention to where the rest of the musicians and singers are going with the music and the lyrics and making sure we're all together. But this morning I found myself longing for us to just spend some time with the Lord as a team, without the rest of the church. I was hoping we would do something like that in Pastor Anthony's office. (We usually meet in there after leading the first service. We fellowship together, sometimes praying, sometimes just talking and laughing.) By the time I got back there, the whole team was already there and Anthony was sharing out of His bible and encouraging us in our faith as a team and it was really cool. (I hadn't said anything about what I was feeling during practice.)

So the first service ends. I spend a few minutes greeting some new friends who got there early for the second service and then rushed back to the prayer room to pray with the team before going out for second service. The door was closed and when I opened it, the most beautiful sound filled my ears. Our team was in there, in that tiny room, singing and worshipping God. It was private and personal and beautiful. Some had their hands raised, some were on their knees. They were all just loving God with no one else there to see. That was exactly what I was longing for. For us to just worship Him. Not because we were leading anyone else, but just because we love Him. So I joyfully joined in. It was so wonderful. God was there. I know it's not about feelings, but I could just feel God there. My spirit recognized His. Ah, I love His presence.

I think He was the One who placed that longing in my heart. And He placed it in the rest of the team, too. Isn't that awesome? I love it when we're of the same heart.

So anyway, after a few minutes, it was time to go out and start the second service.

IT WAS AMAZING.

I can't even describe it. We started a song called "You Are God Alone" and before we even joined, we could hear the whole church singing and worshipping. That right there is my heart's desire. To see God's people worshipping Him together. It was so beautiful (I know I keep using that word, but, hey, it fits) that I didn't want to spoil it by joining in on my mic. I was so blessed by it. Funny that hearing my Lord be blessed blesses me, too.


So that was my morning and my heart is still so full of praise. God is with me. I am so glad for that.