She felt her toe begin to tap as the worship band started to play the next song. She responded automatically to the beat. Slowly, the rhythm began to overtake her body like a child’s excitement on Christmas day as they waited to open that first present. She eyed those around her. No movements, not even a single tap. Some had their arms crossed. Others looked down as they sang.

She couldn’t contain herself any longer and ripped open her gift to God. She wanted to praise Him as loud as she could, so she let herself go and began to clap to the beat. Her inhibitions released as she sang.

And I’ll sing glory, hallelujah
I lift Your name on high
And I’ll sing holy, ’cause You’re worthy
I’ll praise You with the dance.*

Have you ever wanted to let yourself truly go and worship God in church, but were scared of what others around you would think? Been there, done that.

Have you looked around in church and watched others? Okay, don’t be mad at me, but if God stood on our church platforms and looked down at us as we were supposedly “praising Him,” I think He would be mortified at what He saw. A bunch of sour faces. Come on admit it, we’re all guilty of it at one time or another.

Are we robbing God of our praises? I think we are. Myself included. Don’t get me wrong, I realize not everyone praises God in the same way, but are we throwing off all our inhibitions and giving Him what He truly deserves? Our all?

I don’t think so.

Take a look at the definition of “inhibition” according to the Canadian Oxford Dictionary. It says, “A feeling of nervousness or embarrassment which prevents one from relaxing or behaving naturally.”

Are we embarrassed to lift our hands to God or clap to the beat in front of others? Are we nervous to behave naturally when we sing our praises? Why? Do we believe others will think less of us because we’re giving God ALL of ourselves? Friend, I don’t think so. I know if you were lifting your hands high next to me, I wouldn’t. I’d say, “Way to go!”

I believe if we threw off our inhibitions and praised God with our entire being, He would be pleased. He would look down upon us and smile. He might even tap His toe!

I say, let’s lift our hands high, clap, tap your toe, or praise Him in the way you want to praise Him, but do it without inhibitions. Let loose as if no one else was watching, but Him!

That’s the way it should be.

Praise Him with the dance! He is worthy.

*Written by Mark Hall – “Praise You With the Dance”

Revelation 19:6-7

 “Hallelujah!  For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!”

My sweet sister-in-law Natalie at Harrison Mountain (love this picture!)