The other day a mission team came through and showed the Jesus film. It’s the old one where Jesus looks like a stoner instead of an Iranian. One scene that really struck me was when the woman comes to anoint Jesus’ feet with her perfume.
This lady doesn’t even care anymore. It doesn’t matter to her who is watching or what they will say. She is done with all of that.
She just barges in and ugly cries right there at the feet of Jesus.
I think that sometimes my worship is all wrapped up and neat. I am still conscious about my voice or what I look like to other people. But in moments of trial or hardship, or when I see my weakness against the backdrop of God’s grace- I let go of appearances and pour out my thanks. When God’s goodness overwhelms me I lose sight of myself and I gush.
Thankfulness that flows out of the heart often takes forms that are unconventional and might look foolish to the world. But Jesus was far more pleased with the sloppy antics of an emotional wreck than with the stone cold reverence of the Pharisees.
There is an inverse to this. Sometimes I mistake enthusiasm for gratefulness. Because worship is an attitude of the heart it’s possible to raise your hands and bend your knees and still be dead inside. So what am I to do? How do I reach that point of gratitude?
What the pharisees did not understand was how much they had been forgiven. Pride is the number one block to worshiping the Lord. Not because God won’t accept our worship, but because we don’t feel that gratitude that comes from a place of humility. Prim and proper worship often comes from a heart that hasn’t been broken. When I really understand what God has done for me, I can’t help but blubber my praises.
