There aren't many things I will spend a lot of money on. Maybe a good pair of leather boots or a flight to see a good friend, but I don't go out to eat much. I don't buy too many extravagant things.
But I have to say when I went to see Coldplay last month, those were expensive tickets.
And I don't regret it at all.
Being in the Manchester Arena with 20,000 people is something I love to do... the energy, the lights, the sounds... and the excitement of hearing your favorite music performed live. I loved it.
What impressed me the most was watching Chris Martin on stage. If you see him in interviews, he is typically British...not hugely dramatic, self-effacing on cue and witty in all the right places, and a bit understated--well, at least compared to the average American who uses their hands, has huge inflections and tends to speak a little too loudly.
But get Chris Martin on a stage and he is having a PARTY. He is dancing and moving the whole time. There is nothing understated about him in a concert. And what becomes apparent to everyone watching him is how much he loves it all. He is actually rejoicing and dancing and skipping. I found myself wanting to join him. I had great joy just in watching him.
Now, I have heard people accuse my worship leading style as "American." Part of that is they think that I'm leading worship from my personality. But truthfully, when I started leading worship, I could hardly smile on stage. I was not a happy person the first few years of my Christian life and found it hard to find joy in Jesus. I couldn't fake it. I couldn't put on a happy face when I led worship. But the longer I have walked with God, the more I have learned to ENJOY God's presence and really rejoice in Him. But it's not about an American style...it's a reflection on the real freedom I have found in knowing God.
So I understand Chris Martin... he is not bound by his culture at all. It's not about personality. But as soon as the music begins to play... he is loving it. He can't help but move and rejoice in what he is doing. He is childlike in it...able to really let the music carry him away.
How much more has God got to share with His people about rejoicing...whether we are Americans, Brazilians or British..it doesn't matter. God wants to show us what it means to have "fullness of joy" in His presence and have that same childlikeness.
I cannot help but laugh sometimes in worship, and it's certainly not about my culture, but it has everything to do with enjoying who God is in that moment and realizing this is what I'm created to do. So I just let myself get carried away like Chris Martin.
Our inheritance in Jesus is to be the most FREE and JOYFUL people in the world.
But I have to say when I went to see Coldplay last month, those were expensive tickets.
And I don't regret it at all.
Being in the Manchester Arena with 20,000 people is something I love to do... the energy, the lights, the sounds... and the excitement of hearing your favorite music performed live. I loved it.
What impressed me the most was watching Chris Martin on stage. If you see him in interviews, he is typically British...not hugely dramatic, self-effacing on cue and witty in all the right places, and a bit understated--well, at least compared to the average American who uses their hands, has huge inflections and tends to speak a little too loudly.
But get Chris Martin on a stage and he is having a PARTY. He is dancing and moving the whole time. There is nothing understated about him in a concert. And what becomes apparent to everyone watching him is how much he loves it all. He is actually rejoicing and dancing and skipping. I found myself wanting to join him. I had great joy just in watching him.
Now, I have heard people accuse my worship leading style as "American." Part of that is they think that I'm leading worship from my personality. But truthfully, when I started leading worship, I could hardly smile on stage. I was not a happy person the first few years of my Christian life and found it hard to find joy in Jesus. I couldn't fake it. I couldn't put on a happy face when I led worship. But the longer I have walked with God, the more I have learned to ENJOY God's presence and really rejoice in Him. But it's not about an American style...it's a reflection on the real freedom I have found in knowing God.
So I understand Chris Martin... he is not bound by his culture at all. It's not about personality. But as soon as the music begins to play... he is loving it. He can't help but move and rejoice in what he is doing. He is childlike in it...able to really let the music carry him away.
How much more has God got to share with His people about rejoicing...whether we are Americans, Brazilians or British..it doesn't matter. God wants to show us what it means to have "fullness of joy" in His presence and have that same childlikeness.
I cannot help but laugh sometimes in worship, and it's certainly not about my culture, but it has everything to do with enjoying who God is in that moment and realizing this is what I'm created to do. So I just let myself get carried away like Chris Martin.
Our inheritance in Jesus is to be the most FREE and JOYFUL people in the world.
