Friday, May 31, 2024

I have a confession—I’m not deeply into Christian music. I don’t listen to K-love or YesFM. When I was looking for a church in college, I ruled out any place that played more than three songs during worship.

That’s not to say I don’t like worship or Christian music at all. It’s just not the primary way I connect with God.

Still, there are the occasional moments, like the one I experienced a couple weekends ago, where I’m reminded just how powerful worshiping together is.

I’d gone to church by myself, as I sometimes do. But I’m never alone at church—I’m surrounded by family. It was baptism weekend. Some of my friends were on stage that day, playing for God. There were families I knew around me, worshiping enthusiastically. The gentleman next to me seemed like he was new to CedarCreek (I later saw him scribbling notes to the sermon on his empty coffee cup). Most powerfully, I could see the joy on the faces of the people being baptized as they came up from the water.

In that moment, singing to God, surrounded by my family, celebrating the life change happening in our church, I was overcome with one thought: This is what it’s all about.

Acts 2:46-47
⁴⁶ They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— ⁴⁷ all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Something powerful happens when we praise God together. It helps us connect with God and each other emotionally and relationally. It helps us remember who God is and what he’s done for us. It refocuses our eyes on God’s mission for us and our church, and it helps us see the ways God is working around us.

May we not neglect taking time to praise God with our church family.

Questions:
Do you take time to praise God with other believers? What does that look like? What could it look like?

Next Steps:
Take some time to praise God outside of church—with your Group, friends, or family.

Not currently part of a Group? Now is the time to join one for our summer semester! Find your Group in our Groups directory.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunities you give us each week to praise together. Thank you for helping us to see the work you’re doing and remember how good you are. Help us to make time to praise you together, as a church family. Draw us closer to you and to each other. May your will be done in us and through us.

Series Theme Verse:

Proverbs 17:17 ESV
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Today’s post was written by Payton Lechner, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.