Embarrassment

They were in the church lobby when I arrived at 7:45 a.m. to prepare for our 8:55 service. They had been picked up about 7:00 a.m. to make the trip to our church. As I walked in they greeted me with warm smiles and great enthusiasm. Apparently they were all morning people. They were excited about being here.
   
They were going to assist in leading in our worship service. They would be helping to lead singing, and in prayer. They would participate in both of our morning services which means they would be with us until 12:15 p.m. None of them complained about the amount of time, about how they would participate, about sitting through two complete services, or about the hour gap between services. They were models of “unbridled joy.”

As they appeared on the platform there was nothing conformist about their attire. It ranged from suits and ties to jeans and a tee shirt for men. From dresses to jeans and a tee shirt for women. They were not professional singers. As a matter of fact they had a hard time keeping the rhythm of the songs and many sang off key. But they all sang with enthusiasm and loudly. They were “making a joyful noise”, and that’s all they seemed to care about.
   
When they returned to their seats in the midst of our congregants for the rest of the service they paid rapt attention. They applauded with enthusiasm during certain elements. When my colleague, Gregg, delivered the message they listened to every word, shouted “Amen” appropriately, and answered questions he posed to them as he spoke. They were fully engaged and locked in during both services. Gregg was inspired and encouraged by their interaction.
   
Their enthusiasm and participation were contagious. They inspired our congregation. At the close of the service they led a song where we were encouraged to hold hands with people and lift them to the heavens at a certain point. No one balked at participating.
   
Our guest leaders that day in worship were from Elim Christian Services. They were adults with a variety of special needs, some severe and profound. They love God and they love to worship. They were not concerned with what anyone else thought about how they dressed, or how they sang, or what they said during the service. The whole experience was delightful and instructive.
   
Too often I, and others, worry too much about what others will think of me, even in worship. What will they think if I raise my hands during a song, or shout amen, or applaud enthusiastically for God? Periodically over the years I have had the opportunity to sit with my family during a worship service and my kids were always a little embarrassed by my loud singing and participation. I let their embarrassment dampen my enthusiasm.
   
I have had people say to me, “I wanted to shout ‘Amen,’ when you made this point in your message, but I didn’t because I was afraid of what others might think.”
   
The Psalms encourage us to “shout to the Lord,” “clap our hands,” and to “lift our hands.”

     “Praise him with the sounding trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.” (Psalm 150:3-5)

I am embarrassed by my embarrassment. I learned a lot from my friends at Elim Christian Services. But the most important thing I was reminded of was to care less about what other people think and worship with “unbridled joy.”

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