By Cora Paige ('27)
Hey to everyone reading this article! I hope you are having a great Friday, and enjoying the new day God has given us!!
My goal in writing this article is to share some of my favorite reasons why worship is amazing and an effective way to connect with God. Now I will not be discussing worship as the term for service, but instead using music to relate to Christ. Before talking about my reasons, I would like to give you a little background story.
I grew up as an MK in South America and Spain. My parents were always serving in churches, so I was able to really “experiment” with God and find my special area in which I could serve Him. I loved ministering to kids, helping decorate for events, and so much more, until I discovered music. My parents have had me attend piano lessons since I was five years old. I learned to play classical music and Christmas music. The moment I started realizing I had a “talent” for worship was when my piano teacher asked me what kind of music I enjoyed listening to. At the time, I answered with Christian music, so she made me think of a Christian song to sing and present for the next lesson.
The following week, I remember sitting down and feeling really worried because I had no idea how my teacher would react. As I started playing the piano and singing my song, my piano teacher was in literal awe of what had just occurred. When I finished the song, she stood up and clapped while smiling widely. She really encouraged me to play at my church and sing because she recognized the gift I have. My teacher told my parents about it and they were quite proud of me. Since then, I have been playing the piano and singing (I will not give you the exact amount of years it has been haha).
As soon as my teacher and myself recognized the talent I had, it was too late to back down. I decided for myself that I would commit to the talent God gave me and not take it for granted. Worship was my way of connecting with God. I realized that when I was anxious or going through adversities, sitting down and playing the piano calmed my troubled heart; and it is my way of deeply connecting with Him. I simply cannot count on my fingers the many opportunities I had in churches all around the world to worship.
Now to give you a list of reasons as to why worship is effective to God. (1) It is an intimate thing with Christ, (2) strengthens your faith, and (3) you do not have to have a talent in music to worship God. Whether it be singing Christian music in your room or worshiping in your church, you are doing an intimate thing. I cannot express with words how worship touches your spiritual heart and what that feels like. To me I feel bubbly and warm, because I know that God has plans for me; to you, it might feel or look different, and that is totally fine! Worship strengthens your faith and widens your perspective on what God can do for you. Worship encourages me to read the Bible more often and come to the altar everyday.
There are so many songs that talk differently about God. For me, I love songs that are spiritually lyrical in the sense that they convey emotions when coming to the altar of Christ. Christians songs should be full of Biblical verses, and when you read those verses it is like God is speaking to you. I remember one time that I was listening to “Take Me Back” by Maverick City Music, and I started bawling my eyes out. I was so so touched by the Holy Spirit and by God that I could not hold myself together. I am typically not an emotional person, but when it comes to worship, I am a cryer! This song spoke to me because I related to it at the moment.
Lastly, you do not need to be good at music in order to worship! I know so many people who think they cannot sing (my dad haha), and acknowledge they are doing it for the Lord. I do not mean go on stage and sing horribly, but instead I am implying that it is all about where your heart is at. God knows you and loves you, but you have to allow Him to come into your life. You are the one that opens the door! So you need to remember to just sing out your troubles, heartaches, and more for the glory of God when worshiping. Worship, for me, is such a selfless thing to do because, again, we are doing it for Him and not man. So I encourage you when you wake up or about to go to bed, spend 5-10 minutes listening to music and just worship. Tell God your struggles, and ask for His grace and peace as you navigate the next few years of college! I am telling you people, it works!
Please keep in mind that I am not saying worship is the only way to worship, but that worship is one way that was the most effective for me. You might find journaling, writing poems, or other things to be more effective, and that is okay! As long as you glorify God in everything you do, and obey His commandments, Big G has a seat for you in Heaven. God will do amazing things, just you wait!
Anyways, have a blessed day!! ★
