Season of Saráyu, Worshiping Outside
As many of you know, I am blessed to be able to walk to work every day. While some may not see it as a blessing, I have come to love my morning walk. From where our apartment stands to where my work is located, I walk west towards the mountains and get to look right at the amazing creation that my God has made. 14,000 foot mountains, covered with pristine snow, lit up by a orange and purple sunrise behind me.
One of the most powerful things that I have discovered in my life happened to me on one of my walks. I sang. I wrote about it in one of my earlier posts here, but it really opened my eyes (and ears) to something amazing: worshiping outside. It may sound silly, but I have found that something is different for me when I worship the Lord outside. My voice does not get better (just ask the poor birds who have to listen to me as I walk!), the words do not change, but my heart seems to come alive when I sing in nature. The words “How Great Thou Art” seem to come alive when I sing them looking at Pikes Peak, or feel a crisp breeze come off the mountains.
Most of the times that I worship, I am at church or in my car. From the projection screens to the walls themselves, from the sound of the road noise to the crazy people driving on the same road, these venues just seem to dull my worship. But when I get outside, into God’s amazing cathedral, I cannot focus on things that are man-made. The evidence of His power and majesty seem to jump out and scream at me. The air seems fresher. The sounds of nature seem to be more alive. Even the colors seem more vibrant.
I know it sounds completely crazy, but TRY IT.
Take just a little time, go to a park or some place away in nature and sing to Him. It may not change your life, and it may not be as powerful for you, but I challenge you to get outside sometime and sing to God. You don’t have to impress anyone, but simply sing to Him in the midst of His creation. If you cannot decide which song to sing, here’s my favorite (brings tears to my eyes every time):
The splendor of a King,
clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice,
all the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light,
and darkness tries to hide
it trembles at his voice,
trembles at his voice
How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great
How great is our God
And age to age He stands
and time is in His Hands
Beginning and the End,
Beginning and the End
The Godhead, three in one
Father, Spirit, Son
the Lion and the Lamb,
the Lion and the Lamb
How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great,
How great is our God
Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
how great is our God
Name above all names
you are worthy of all praise
and my heart will sing
how great is our God
