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Praising! Praising? Praising.


In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:12-13) 

            I know people who have seen their favorite movie or read their favorite book many times. They can quote extensively from it. Some dress the part of a favorite character, collect things associated with it. Some will even decorate for Christmas or decorate their room or house based on the movie or book. You just know that if anything even remotely touching on the subject of that book or movie comes up in conversation, that person will express his/her love of it enthusiastically. The same can be said of anything about which someone is passionate: a sport or team, an animal, a hobby, a favorite restaurant.... There is something in us - we are designed to praise.
         Sometimes, it seems as if we have a harder time praising God than we do other things. Is it because we don't really love God as much as we enjoy the movie, book, sport, team or activity? Is it because we're more afraid that someone may think we're crazy for praising God than they do when we praise those other things? Is it because we know that any praise we might give God isn't one one millionth of what He deserves? Or is it because we're afraid that our manner, style or expression of worship won't measure up to hers, or theirs, or that person over there's? 
             I suspect it's a combination. I know that sometimes I hate using the psalms or someone else's worship songs because it's not mine, but it's so much better (I think) than anything I could come up with. I have also not wanted to praise God because someone else might think I was showing off, or might not want to praise God because they thing my praise is better than what they can manage. 
            Granted, we should strive for excellence because God deserves it. I have to wonder, however; whether what makes our praise less than excellent is not our halting words, imperfect rhymes, narrow vocal range or notes that are in the key of "off" once in a while. What if the things that make our praise less than excellent is our glancing eyes that either hope someone notices or that no one notices? What if the things that make our praise less than excellent is our anger at whatever, or the green notes of jealousy, or a mind that is grocery shopping, rehearsing a discussion that didn't go the way we wanted and, oh yeah, worshipping? But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (I Samuel 16:7) What if singing in the key of off and getting half the words wrong but doing it with all your heart is more beautiful than singing like an opera diva to whom the song is just another performance?

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