by: Donna Ross Williams  

Monday July 28, 2008

Dear Sisters:

Something I probably won't put on my blog but wanted to share:

I had a revelation yesterday, right smack dab in the middle of praise and worship. I looked out into the congregation, directly into the faces of some of the members (something I very seldom do on purpose) and honestly a few looked like either they had been sucking on some extremely sour lemons, or they were extremely constipated. Others looked bored and totally disinterested, while a couple of them probably just wouldn't get involved because I was leading worship (there are haters everywhere, not just in the street). Some of the good deacons even sat down though there was no physical reason why they should have remained seated in the presence of the Most High God. The thought occurred to me in that moment how pitiful we professing believers really are, spouting all our religious rhetoric and clothed in our pseudo-piety while most our hearts are far from God. How sad it is to spend all one's life in church and then have the potential to stand before the judgment seat of Christ just to hear Him say "I never knew you; depart from me. . ."

In my "ah ha" moment, I realized that I, regardless of what others do, must engage in what I am calling "Praise Living." I must acknowledge God's greatness at all times (something Psalm 34 has been trying to get in my head for a long time) and refuse to dwell on what I see or how I feel. I am pretty much done with expending all my precious time and energy (I have lived more than half my life) trying to get rigid church people to get it (how long did it take before I got it?), but I am prepared to encourage and support those who are hungry for God, who really want to live out His promises in their lives. I will love the frozen chosen and will always speak a positive word to them, but I will purposefully walk with the willing hearts. God knows I have not been as diligent as I should have been when it comes to study and prayers. I rely too much on being a quick study rather than diligent pursuer of God's truths, but I do want to honor God in all my ways, not just when I'm doing the church thing, so when my work ethic threatens to override my worship, I will praise God. When depression tries to take over my soul, I will praise God. When the f ina nces are too tight and there is more month than money, I will praise God. When family and friends walk away and leave me to figure out things on my own, I will praise God for His faithfulness. When it seems that the dreams and visions I believe are from God don't happen, I will praise Him for His promises. When it appears I am destined to be single for the rest of my days (womanish shoes, notwithstanding), I will praise Him in my singleness. When the church just ain't feeling praise, or me, on Sunday mornings, and when no one encourages me, I will praise Him all by myself. I will praise God in the valley when my steps are unsure. I will praise God in the shadows where no one can see my face. I will praise Him in the sunlight. I will praise Him in the moonlight. I will praise God quietly. I will praise Him with a loud shout. I will praise Him with the dance. I will praise Him with a song. I will praise Him with tears. I will praise Him with laughter. I can, I must and I will praise God in spite of . . .!

I believe that praise, like love, is not about a feeling; it is a choice. We must choose to praise God at all times and live our lives as praise offerings to He who had done great things in us and through us. Today is the first day of the rest of our Praise Living. Let's get busy!

In His Name and Because of His Love

Donna