Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Luke 18:16–17
Every time I’m in a worship service and the song leader suggests we raise our hands in praise, I cringe. I get a little sweaty and my mind starts racing.
What is wrong with you?
Why can’t you raise your hands?
I know. I should raise my hands. I want to. I do. But . . .
What if I look weird? What if they notice?
It’s just not like me. I’m not a raise-your-hands kind of girl.
You mean you’re not a praise-the-Lord kind of girl?
Just. Raise. Your. Hands.
Ahhh! It’s not a big deal, but it feels like a big deal!
Isn’t it enough to tap my foot?
Is this song ever going to— oh good, it’s over now.
Growing up in a small-town, traditional hymn-singing church, it never even occurred to me to raise my hands during worship until I witnessed my friends doing just that in college. In fact, closing my eyes while belting out my favorite songs was as expressive as I got back then— and even that felt out of place.
One Sunday, though, my internal debate was interrupted by my five-year-old standing next to me. As soon as she saw me notice her raised hands, she wanted to talk about it. “Mommy, why aren’t you holding your hands up? Look! I’m holding up my hands for Jesus! You do it too, Mommy!”
So for once, I did the thing that my heart often longs to do but that feels so awkward and even scary: I raised my hands.
The specific way we worship isn’t the point. The point is that for years I’ve ignored the urge to let go and worship the way that expresses my true feelings. I’ve remained content to worship half-heartedly because what others might think was more important to me than what God has placed in my heart and what I long to say to him.
For my daughter, though, it was so much simpler than that. She heard the worship leader suggest we raise our hands, she felt joy as she sang about Jesus, and she raised her hands up high to express all those things.
Just like that.
Oh, to be courageously joyful like a child!
People worship God in so many different ways. Expressing our love and gratitude and joy in the Lord shouldn’t be about how we look or following a set of rules. And yet sometimes we can feel intimidated or embarrassed when it comes to worship.
But do you know who never seems to feel self-conscious or reluctant to share their true feelings? Children.
When children sing songs to and about the God they’ve been taught loves them, their unblemished, unabashed joy cannot be contained. Without filters or fear, they jump and sing and dance their praise to the Lord, never afraid of what the kid jumping and singing and dancing next to them might think. Why can’t we do the same?
Jesus knew we could learn much from observing little children. in Luke 18:16–17, He urged His followers to be more like children.
Raising your hands, dancing, or singing at the top of your lungs is not necessarily more holy or joyful than other styles of worship. Perhaps you feel more connected to God when folding your hands, kneeling, or even spending time in nature. Worshiping God with courageous joy simply means responding to God in the way He created you to be in relationship with Him, rather than allowing your expressions of joy to be affected by fear, uncertainty, or perceived expectations.
Think of a child you know or perhaps imagine your younger self. Can you picture her dancing and twirling through the temple courts as described in Psalm 100, singing with delight— smile wide and eyes bright— at the sheer anticipation of being in God’s presence? Watch in your mind’s eye as the Father wraps His child in a huge embrace.
That is the wonder of God’s love.
That is the joy available to us today because we know our hope and salvation are secure in Jesus (John 10:28).
God, I love You so much! I do. When I think about how much You love me — enough to come to earth, live a sinless life, and die for my sins so we would no longer be separated — I want to shout it from the rooftops! I can’t contain my joy — or at least I don’t want to. But sometimes I don’t know what to say, or I’m afraid of looking foolish in front of others. Will You give me the courage to share my joy with abandon — before You and before others? Thank You, God. Amen.
Devotion by Mary Carver from Courageous Joy: Delight in God through Every Season
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I was just praying about this very thing this morning. Thank you for this.
I used to sing at church and in school . Solos and in choirs . Nervous but still loved it ! As I got older I got more fearful of what others might think so I stopped . It’s been 25 plus years . God has tugged at my heart to get back to it . And I still hear my mom saying “ you should be singing “ she passed 14 years ago and I can still hear her voice . Now it’s not only a fear thing it’s an emotional thing that ties me deeper to her . I tried to get back into it at church before covid but the worship leader never followed through with me. That didn’t help my fear. So last week they asked for people to help in the worship group and I knew God was saying , “ Kelly , it’s time “ I wrote an email saying I was interested but still haven’t heard back. Please pray for me to be bold and to just talk to the worship leader. I’m a preachers kid and even though I’m grown and my Dads retired I still feel those pulls I did as a kid. And I fight them . I don’t know why I do that .
Thank you for listening and thank you for your story. I always connect with your openness to share your heart
Yup, that’s me. Too self conscious to raise my hands up when I sing or pray at Sunday service. Thanks for letting me know I’m not alone.
Mary – I shared your devotion x 2 because we all have times we feel Awkward (with a capital A).
Thank you for sharing your love of Jesus. You praise Him so beautifully with words.
Sending you crisp fall Joy,
Lisa
Today’s story reminded me of something my little girl taught me. When she was about three years old, she would always pray the same little prayer. “God thank you for Chuck E Cheese and Happy Meals, in Jesus name”. Then one night, she prayed that same prayer but in a different way. She prayed, “Thank you God for being my Chuck E Cheese and for being my Happy Meal, in Jesus name”.
I got it, but I didn’t.
I recently lost my daughter Brooklyn at the age of five… violently. It wasn’t until the other night, in a breathless moment that God reminded me about her prayer that night. While on my face begging God to give me strength and some reason to keep living He gently whispered the revelation of that little prayer into my heart and I finally got it!
I didn’t need to ask God for strength or the will to live. Instead, at that moment I realized He is my strength. He is my life. He is my everything. Or, as Brooklyn would say…”He is my Chuck E Cheese. He is my Happy Meal.” What freedom from a heavy burden I couldn’t carry anymore. Greater is He in me!! That’s right, because who’s in this world, I am and I can’t do this BUT He can!
So, if we ever find ourselves struggling with any aspect of our walk with Christ, we should just remember that He IS so we don’t have to be. He is faith, trust, worship, love, forgiveness, hope, truth etc… He didn’t just want to give those things to us. He died so He could be within us to BE it for us. All we have to be..is His.
Thank you Brooklyn for allowing God to teach me this through you. I never would have thought I would need it in such a dark moment all these years down the road, but He did. I miss you and your brother Camry with every second and I love you two without borders. I still believe that God IS our rescue and He is our restoration. Whether it is here or in heaven Momma will hold you two again.
Thank you God for being Jesus. Thank you for being the Holy Spirit in me. Thank you for being the love that my children and I have for each other. Thank you for being my relentless strength and the persistent hope that never fails me. Thank you for being my everything. In Jesus Name, Always.
Just some thoughts,
Kimberly
Thank you for sharing your story. Your daughter’s sweet prayer is so simple but a lot we can take away. Children are so innocent and have such a pure love. Praying for your strength and that our loving Father will give you His Shalom and carry you through this difficult time. One glorious day we will all be in His presence and how amazing will that day be!
Kimberly, I can’t imagine your heartbreak, especially with a lost of a child/children…our prayers are with you. May each day bring a measure of comfort! Thank you for sharing your burdens, you are an inspiration to so many others, I appreciate your faithfulness in sharing with us an important lesson from your precious little one. May you feel His PEACE, Comfort, and Strength. LOVE never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstances. 1 Corinthians 13:7
May we have more courageous joy in our walk with the Lord.
While I agree with this idea of being more child-like in our faith, it is important that we worship the way God intends for us to worship, which is laid out in his Scripture (Heb. 12:28). If we all worshipped the way we felt was right, it would be out of decency and order (1 Cor. 14:40). And then we would be verging on making the worship service about us or for our entertainment (giving in to the desire of our flesh, “I want to worship the way I want to worship!”). It is important what we accurately understand and apply Scripture especially for the NT church.
Courageous joy — Love it!!