“I long to worship Jesus with the heartof a child, in a state of pure and true
adoration. Yet so many things of the
world cloud my thoughts and pull on
my heart until it’s no longer just a girl in
the arms of the Father. “
~Darlene Schacht~
The Mom Complex
They all marched up on stage with the girls in their pretty dresses smoothed down, hair all done up in bows. The boys with the belts a little crooked and dress shirt tucked in at the last moment by the music teacher. Then they all began to sing for the church audience. Some quietly sang while swinging their bodies to and fro. Some belted out each word of the song like their life depended on it and at least one or two got tired of standing already and decided to sing sitting on the stage steps. This is worshiping as a child, and very little is more beautiful to Jesus. There is no worry about singing on key, there is no worry about “what will people think if I sit down right here,” no concern except singing the song to the best of their ability and singing songs about wonderful Jesus.
What happened between then and now?
What if the person in the pew in front of me hears me sing? Life comes at us and sometimes comes at us hard.
We are wounded by circumstances of life, we are let down by the failures of others, and somewhere in the back of our minds we are not who we thought we would be. From that develops worries, insecurities, lack of self worth. Am I that different than the little girl who sang her heart out on stage? How could I get so off track? What did Jesus see in that little girl that made him smile the biggest smile around? And how do I become that little girl in his arms again?
Worshiping with the heart of a child is a desire we all long to have. The heart of a child is open not guarded; it is trusting not fearful; it does not worry what will happen next for a child knows it will be taken care of, and if bad things come the child knows to run to Mom and Dad for security. What keeps us from running to Christ for every little thing? Instead we act like Adam and Eve, aware of the sin in our life and we hide.
Can anyone hide in secret places
so that I cannot see him?”
declares the
LORD.
“Do not I fill heaven and earth?”
declares the LORD.
Jeremiah
23:24
Christ reminds us constantly that He is our redeemer our Savior in times of trouble. He knows everything, so why do we hide? Come to him; hide in the shadow of his wings.
Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your
wings . Psalms 17:8
He will deliver you from fears that haunt you, troubles that keep you awake at night. (storms that blow over your house)
I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all
my fears. Psalms 34:4
He has never promised us a life free of worries and stress, a life free of hardships and pain, but He is our deliver during such times.
A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers
him from them all; Psalms 34:19
Learn from Adam and Eve, do not hide. Christ is aware of everything. And despite that, Christ loves you. Once you release your fears, turn over your hardships, and give him all your worries then you can “worship Jesus with the heart of a child, in a state of pure and true adoration.”
Head on over to Sting My Heart, Iris is our wonderful host this week.
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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey there my friend. You always have such beautiful thoughts to the IOW. I do so love reading the words that come from your heart! Thank you for being a friend.
Kind of funny - I almost when down the same ‘alley’ - Really - what happened to us. We didn’t care as a child to sing of key. We didn’t care if we forgot a word - we just kept singing…
Laurel, thank you for the reminder that we don’t have to worry one bit. Sure there will be hard times, but none we will walk alone.
Blessings on your Tuesday and always.
The verses went so well with your story Laurel. I was reminded of Iris’s post too. We get too worried about the congregation, it’s hard to worship freely.
I should be in bed, but instead I being blessed by your post. Thanks, especially for those Scriptures. They are just the verses that have been coming to my mind.
Blessings,
Elisa
You have painted a beautiful picture! I want to be that little girl just singing my heart out, without a care in the world!
I love this. I want to worship with abandon but let fear stop me. Need to keep giving that fear to God. Thanks for the reminder.
“Once you release your fears, turn over your hardships, and give him all your worries then you can “worship Jesus with the heart of a child, in a state of pure and true adoration.”
So true and well said! We need to worship with total abandon!
The scriptures you quoted are beautiful and the post goes right along with them! I pictured those children on the stpes of the church singing and laughed because my daughter is one to poke, fidget, and sit whenever she feels like it!
Christ is aware of everything. And despite that, Christ loves you.
I think that’s what most of us are afraid of.. or still think about it in human terms, how could he? It’s an impossible b/c nobody else does.. I know, I know, we need to get over it and take a step out in faith and make it worth while.
What a beautiful reminder!
Thank you Laurel.
Beautifully said!
Childreen singing off key! What a precious way to visualize this! Thank you!
This was beautiful, Laurel Wreath. I want to be trusting and not fearful…to be like a child with Jesus. Thank you for this wonderful illustration!
I loved this. A sister from church and I were talking about this. How being conscious of those around us can hinder us from really worshipping in church.
I can’t think of a thing that needs to be added Laurel. You have said it all so beautifully.
Beautifully said. And so very true.
Excellent thoughts. I always get a blessing when I visit your blog!
Your thoughts touch my heart, thank you.
Great post, Laurel! My niece loves to sing with us when we sing. She’ll sway back and forth. She’ll belt out the one word of the line she remembers. But she praises with all of her heart! And it’s beautiful!
Lovely. I love to stand next to my nephews and listen to their sweet confident voices ringing out. Thank you for that reminder.
Beautifully written LW. Why do I try to hide, when Christ is fully aware of EVERYTHING I think and do.
Hey, I tried to e-mail you and it came back. Are you trying to ditch me again????
D2
Love this quote AND your thoughts. Thanks for the reminder.
Jennifer R.
Dear Laurel
I think that this is one of your best, most beautiful posts!
Thank you.
I was reading Psalm 143 last week and it ties in with what you wrote. I was struck with the realization that God has know our every thought and every word since the time he formed us. So when we think we can hide from him, we are so wrong. Thanks for your encouragement for us to loosten up in our worship and to worship freely. I believe that is so much more glorifying to the Lord than worrying about what other people are thinking.
Your singing example is so true. I’m really bad about that, although the people I admire most are the ones who aren’t afraid to belt it out, even if they’re more tone-deaf than I am.
Beautiful post, Laurel.