On Sundays our team time is squad worship. It’s something I look forward to all week because I know if it was a fun week I get to rejoice and praise the Lord through songs, but if it was a hard week, I am able to get recharged and refocus my mind on the Lord. Worship has always done this for me.
I remember singing along in the car to worship music when I was younger. I remember throughout my Junkyard mission trips worship being relaxing and uplifting. I remember worship being a big help during training camp in reminding me why I had committed to this crazy journey. And now I remind myself to look forward to worship whether the week has been good or bad.
The first few worship times on the field, I didn’t recognize many of the songs and did more listening worship than singing worship. I was able to feel the love of God but still wanted to be able to shout out the words praising God in that way too. I wanted to be “confident” in the words I was singing to God even though I know He loves any form of worship even if we mess up the words. He is still going to feel our love for Him!
Worship on Sunday, October 6th hit me different though. I had stressful parts throughout my day and was ready to get recharged and rejoice with my God. Kori and Cami, our amazing worship leaders, had us all sit in a circle for worship that night.
After reading a short passage before diving into the songs, Kori asked all of us to turn around and face the wall. She told us during the first song she wanted us focusing on worshiping just to God. By turning around, we were able to focus on Him and not be looking around or distracted by everyone else’s way of worship.
I didn’t know the first song, so I wasn’t really feeling the whole worship straight to God. So I sat there with my eyes closed trying to focus on sitting in His presence. I sat there in the darkness of my eyes being closed but felt like light was all around because of being with God. I started listening and just praying to God.
I started to feel physically closer and closer to God as I focused on drawing near to Him through this listening worship. I suddenly felt like I was actually sitting at the feet of God’s throne. I was just sitting there looking at Him and admiring all His glory.
After the first song was over, Kori invited us to turn back around if we wanted to or we could stay facing outwards. I was really loving sitting at God’s feet, so I decided to stay facing outwards. I knew the next song which made me excited to be able to confidently sing the next words to God while sitting at His feet.
This song sung about God’s love and how wide and high it is. I’ve always known how great God’s love is, but, if I’m honest, I don’t know if I’ve ever actually and truly felt the greatness of His love in all it’s holiness. As I sang “Your love goes on and on,” my body got goosebumps, and I got all excited. I had the realization of “Wow He sure does have a lot of love and is always wanting to give us more of it.” So I continued singing these words at the feet of Jesus with a smile stretched across my face while feeling His love.
The next song I didn’t quite know, but it was really awesome. Part of the lyrics said “at the feet of Jesus.” I was like wow! I have been feeling like I am literally sitting and singing directly to God and Jesus this whole night while at His feet!
Then the last song was one I’ve come to know really well throughout my race journey, and it was an amazing one to end on. Almost everyone knew it. We were shouting out all our praise to God as one big family. I was still sitting there with Jesus and felt so close to Him throughout the whole night.
Worship with songs has always been one of my favorite ways to praise the Lord. I have learned so much about it and grow closer to God every time I worship Him.
With all of this being said, I encourage you to take time and listen or sing some songs to the Lord. Face a wall. Close your eyes. Draw near to His presence. Just worship and feel His love.
Song List (to the best of my knowing):
Out of Hiding by Steffany Gretzinger
On and On by Housefires
Lay It All Down by Will Reagan and United Pursuit
And an original from World Race that I would call “Day and Night Night and Day”
Thanks for reading! I encourage and invite you to share with me some of your favorite ways of worship, stories about when you worship, and ways you feel closer to God during worship. Comment your thoughts and questions as always!
Lots of Love!
Paige :):)
