Woe vs. Whoa!

During worship on Sunday, one of the lines posted on the screen for us to sing was simply, “Whoa-oh-oh. Oh-oh-oh. Oh-oh-oh.”

As I sang along, I heard God speaking to my spirit, “Are you singing ‘Woe’ or ‘Whoa!’?”

He talks to me in funny ways sometimes. But I got what He was saying…

Sometimes, when we’re supposed to be praising Him, we’re standing there, all downcast, crying inside about, “Woe is me. Boo-hoo-hoo. Everything is so hard, so I’m just going to stand here give you a pathetic little praise because I’m so weak from all my woes that I haven’t got anything else in me. So here’s a sad little misery praise from your faithful martyr.”

Okay. Maybe I’m exaggerating a little bit…or maybe I’m not…but we all give Him less than He deserves sometimes because we’re so caught up in a “This is too hard” or a “Why haven’t you fixed this yet” mentality. I didn’t think I was feeling that way, but, as soon as He asked me, I performed a quick self-check to ensure that my mental “worship switch” was IMMEDIATELY and PURPOSEFULLY turned in the proper direction. Because worship isn’t worship if it’s all about YOU.

Worship SHOULD BE about God. It SHOULD BE about telling Him how beautiful, wonderful, and powerful He is! It should be about, “I know what my circumstances may look like, but I know YOU and I trust YOU and I know that I know that I know that you have all this mess under control. You are unshakable, indescribable, all-powerful, mighty, holy, sovereign, and good. I KNOW you see me and I KNOW you will never leave me nor forsake me because I KNOW that You keep your promises. I KNOW that You are a God of justice and that You WILL work ALL THINGS together for the good of those who love you and who are called according to YOUR purposes. You never promised us a life without trials. You promised to be there with us in the fire, refining us and making us pure enough to be in your holy presence. I stand amazed by your love. Whoa! Your LOVE! Whoa-oh-oh! It’s so GOOD! Whoa-oh-oh! Your presence is a treasure! Whoa-oh-oh! Your peace surpasses all understanding and, as I stand here in Your comfort and in your strength, I praise you, KNOWING that You have this–and every other circumstance–firmly in your hands. I fear not, for I know YOU are with me ALWAYS! Whoa-oh-oh!”

See the difference? 🙂

I’ll admit, I’m not the most radical, jump-around, dancing, hollering kind of worshipper in the place. As a matter of fact, I’m quite the opposite. I love seeing that kind of expression from others, but it really just isn’t in my nature. But, you had better believe, on the inside…there’s a whole heck of a lot of jumping and shouting and dancing going on because I KNOW my redeemer lives and I KNOW that demons run and flee at the mention of His MIGHTY Name. I KNOW that God loves me and I KNOW that I will always end up better-off for any kind of “woes” that I may have to endure in this present place. I know He is making me stronger and wiser and He is going to use everything that I’ve experienced, good and difficult, for His purposes and I’m going to give ALL the GLORY to HIM in the end.

So, the next time I hear that song, I’m sure I’ll smile as I sing along, remembering that God hears my praise and He deserves only the best that I can give Him.