Then David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod. 15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet.
2 Samuel 6:14-15 (NKJV)
And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, 38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.
Luke 7:37-38 (NKJV)
One of the greatest challenges as a worship leader is to not get distracted by people’s outward expression during a worship service. In one room we have people who shout, dance, and wave their arms in the air, as well as people who seldom raise their head or open their eyes.
For years I gauged the “quality” of the worship based on how the congregation responded. I’d venture to say this is the measure of “success” for most worship leaders in our culture today. We pick songs and layout set lists to get people stirred up emotionally.
Praise God for opening my eyes to this perversion of worship. Jesus said the Father is looking for those who worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24). This can be loud cries and dancing, and it can be in stillness.