Shannon Dingle
Last month, my church hosted a large women’s conference. We put it on every other year, and it is truly a blessing. I really loved our musicians this time and enjoyed worshiping with other women from different churches and neighborhoods and backgrounds. Such a sweet glimpse of what heaven–plus men and children, of course–has in store for us!
It was especially sweet to have this time, while my sweet husband was home with our two preschoolers, because I was in pain that weekend. I have rheumatoid arthritis, and my IV meds had worn off with three weeks before the next dose. Some movements gave me the sensation of needles in my joints, which isn’t so pleasant (and some lack of movement did the same, but there wasn’t anything I could do about that).
So my heart sank a little when the vocalist said these words: “Lift your hands if you really love Jesus.”
But I couldn’t.
And it hurt in more than a physical way for a moment. “…if you really love Jesus” was the question posed, so just about every hand in the room went up. And mine couldn’t.
And I felt conspicuous.
Was it wrong for her to say what she did? Not even a little bit. But I couldn’t show my love for Jesus in the way she asked. My heart was praising still, but it was a little wounded at the same time.
How often each week in our churches are we doing nothing technically wrong but still wounding people? It’s not about doing the right thing, y’all. (And, for the record, I clearly consider the use of “y’all” to be the right thing, only second to “all y’all” in a large group setting. Just sayin’.)
It’s about being so wholly resting in Christ–even in the midst of activity–that we reflect Him to the wounded (including into our own wounded places). And it’s about knowing that we sometimes ask people to show their love for Jesus in ways that they can’t. How can we let each person show their love for Jesus in the ways that he is able, in the ways that God designed for her to do so?
The next song at that conference was Blessed Be Your Name, which is a favorite of mine. And her next statement was, “If you love Jesus, give me a hearty amen!”
And I was glad to do so.
Shannon Dingle (MAEd) is wife to Lee, mom to two preschoolers, and Access Ministry coordinator at Providence Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC. She is passionate about sharing the gospel of Christ with all people, including those with special needs, and equipping churches to do so. She writes about that at www.theworksofgoddisplayed.com, and she is a contributor to the Treasuring Christ Curriculum. The other passions that captivate her are coffee, books, her children’s giggles, and her husband’s smile.
Hi Shannon, When the vocalist ask “raise your hands if you love Jesus” your hands were already raised. God knew that within your heart even though you physically couldn’t raise them you did with your spirit, soul, heart and mind. As you know there are times when the body can’t not won’t react when you would like it to. Right now as I type this comment I have needles, numbness and pins in four fingers on my left hand (not including the thumb) but I felt the need and love for you to right this. Your love, belief, faith and trust was raised for you and do not feel bad or ashame. God already knew you would not be able to raise your hands but you were there at the Women’s Conference nontheless showing your faith and love for your Heavenly Father. How wonderful and amazing. In your quiet time read Isaiah 61-66. “Though it is hard to understand, our Heavenly Father allows pain because of His great love. Just as a parent hates for his child to hurt, God takes no pleasure in our difficulty. But He so desires that we experience fullness of life in Christ that He allows hardship to shape us. Continue praying everyday and lift up his name in prayer. And remember, God is your Redeemer, Defender, General and Protector. He will see you through. Amen.
I do know how you feel, but not to that extent. When I have been worshiping and praising God, I lift my hands to him only they won’t hold very long with the pain. I continually keep trying thru worship but it can truely make me feel quite sick with the pain sometimes I feel I am letting him down.
Now after reading your comments, I realise that God knows how we feel and if others see it differently maybe they are the ones missing the whole point.
Blessings Robynnenz
thank you for a very interesting article with excellent food for thought for worshipers AND worship leaders. Thru the years, there have been times when I was pregnant, or my senior dad reached end stage Parkinsons Disease, or now with my arthritis that various family members, myself included, haven’t been able to stand, kneel, or raise hands. But as the other writers wisely pointed out, God knows when our hands are lifted in our hearts, or when we are kneeling in our hearts, or standing.