Earplugs for Worship

This morning I am thinking about the account I recently heard of a particular church where earplugs are handed out for those who request them, right before worship begins.  The image of people sitting with their ears muffled to songs of praise and words of exhortation was a strange one indeed.  At first I thought to myself, “How odd.”  Then I thought, “How insulting.”  (To God, I figured.)  Finally, I thought, “Wow.  How very much like me!”  To someone looking on from the outside, I have certainly mastered the popular mechanics of worship.  You’ll see me standing, arms raised, hands open, eyes closed (or focused upward to the ceiling), perhaps swaying to the music, singing sweetly.  But you might be very surprised to know that, in spite of all that, I’m sometimes wearing spiritual earplugs.  I may be all in to what’s going on around me, but totally tuned out to the One I really need to see and hear.  One thing I’ve learned is that worship is so much more than songs and music, regardless of the type or the tempo.  Worship is about surrender.  It is about yielding to Someone greater.  For me, true worship only happens when yet another layer of the thick, hard shell of my self-will is broken.  That is when glimpses of God’s glory, goodness, and purpose are revealed.  In such moments, I may be kneeling rather than standing.  I may have my head bowed, rather than tilted upward.  I may be silent and still, rather than swaying and singing.  And, whether open or closed, there will be tears of release flowing from my eyes.  I recognize that this tends to happen when I practice my ABCs of worship:

1) Acknowledge God- I focus my mind and soul on the truth that God is.

2) Believe the Word- I choose to put down and let go of my doubts, fears, hurt feelings,  

    frustrations, concerns about tomorrow, and anything else that is in conflict with (or a 

    distraction to) the exceeding, great and precious promises of God.

3) Change My Mind- I shift from thinking and acting from a place of selfishness, 

    stubbornness, and pride to one of humility and acceptance.

I have to admit, this doesn’t always occur.  Sometimes the song of surrender is just a bit too loud for my tastes.  The truth that God’s ways are not my ways and His thoughts are not my thoughts can be deafening, especially when I have resolved to remain committed to my own agenda.  But when I do engage in true worship, I hear wonderful things.  I hear amazing things that heal my soul and bring about strength and peace.  I hear that, in spite of what my trials and struggles may suggest, I am being made into all I was created to be…beautiful, whole and free.