Now that I have been dwelling on the ultimate goal of glorifying God in everything, I have been paying more attention to the lyrics of worship and gospel music. I am beginning to find that some worship songs seem to tilt more in the direction of focusing on the singer’s end of their relationship with God than on the Divine end. In a couple of songs, I have observed a not-so-subtle emphasis on the singer’s spiritual gifts or experiences (and even material blessings), attached to a few sentences of Divine praise.
While we all know it is right and beneficial to share testimonies of faith and good works, I just worry that sometimes we lose the focus on the desired end-point of all our experiences. He must increase and I must decrease should be the direction of our worship and thanksgiving experience. We know that God does not like to share His glory. Here is an excellent article that depicts numerous scriptural references on how God is opposed to sharing His glory and how all He does for us and in us is for His own glory. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/biblical-texts-to-show-gods-zeal-for-his-own-glory
It is worth a read to remind us about how we may be inadvertently offending God by not glorifying Him as He expects in every situation. Unfortunately I cannot write about or detail any of the songs I am referring to due to possible legal implications and it is not my intention to denigrate anybody’s work. I just think that it might be sad if what we think we are doing to please God is doing the opposite due to a lack of awareness or our carelessness.
Equally disconcerting is the type of dancing that accompanies certain types of cultural worship. We readily acknowledge that worship can be solemn and contemplative or loud and joyous. All is acceptable to God when done with a sincere heart. We know that King David loved to accompany his music with dance. However, when pop-culture dance steps are incorporated into worship, we need to pause and ask ourselves how suggestive gyrations and body twists can possibly be pleasing in God’s sight. My daughter brought this to my attention a few years ago when she outright rolled her eyes at my dance steps to a gospel tune and dryly noted that she was very sure God was not impressed with my thanksgiving because of the way I was moving my body. I think she was just about 10 years old then. I stopped in my tracks.
It is a good thing to be mindful of our words whether in conversation with God or in worship. It is important that we understand just how much God’s purposes for our lives are for His own glory. When our mindsets are fixated on His glory, we cannot but please Him in everything.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16; cf. 1 Peter 2:12). ……………So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (l Corinthians 10:31; cf. 6:20).
Hilltop Thoughts, Valley Strengths 