Imagine greeting a family member without a hug, handshake, or smile. Your lack of enthusiasm would reveal a great deal about how you felt—or didn’t feel—about that relative. Imagine your favorite team in your favorite sport winning the game. Enthusiasm would be the most natural reaction, and it would likely be expressed in tangible ways: cheering, clapping, or jumping up and down. Imagine experiencing an immeasurable gift of friendship and then learning that your friend is moving away. The sense of loss would be palpable. A physical reaction to the news would be impossible to hide. The point is that our physical expressions matter, and they are a significant part of how we worship God.
Worship is not always demonstrative, but the substance of worship can help us tune in to the reality of God. The word enthusiasm comes from the Greek words en, meaning “in” or “within,” and theos, meaning “God.” So enthusiastic worship, on some level, is a demonstration of God within every believer.
When we talk about a rhythm of gratitude, it begins with a level of enthusiasm in declaring God’s worth. And worship is intertwined with the posture of our hearts. The Hebrew idea of worship was to be thought of as perpetual service. It was understood that there were to be daily sacrifices, regular breaking of bread together, and irregular offerings for peacemaking, sin, and firstfruits of harvest. In other words, worship was not a service we merely attend and evaluate, like a concert or a restaurant; it was not something to be consumed. It was more like an offering you bring, like a spiritual practice. A good example of this in the Bible is when King David lets loose with gratitude in a familiar passage (2 Samuel 6:12-15). He is abandoned, unashamed, and focused solely on the Lord’s gracious love and provision. David reveals that gratitude is a natural overflow of a thankful heart as it reflects our attitude toward God. And as we’ll see, gratitude naturally assumes an actual and sometimes disciplined physical response. Engaging our hearts, minds, and bodies can recenter us on the goodness of God. With a heart full of praise and adoration, David loses himself in the moment. I don’t think this is a premeditated move. True worship never is. True worship is simply about you and your Lord. As David writes: “I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes” (2 Samuel 6:21-22).
It’s interesting to think about what is worshipful about David’s reaction. In some church traditions, this kind of response would be unacceptable, which is what it is to David’s wife, as she makes clear in 2 Samuel 6:20. But worship overflows from within, like any expression of love and gratitude. So how do physical posture and activity connect us with God when we worship? This “undignified” passage provides a snapshot of how God’s Spirit connects, aligns, and inhabits our physical response. In the verses below, notice the physical posture or response and how it helps us honor, connect with, or respond to God.
Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. (Psalm 47:1)
Clapping can be a joyful noise, even if it’s off the beat! Think of your body as an instrument, and know that you’ve been created to declare God’s worth. Do you think God is rolling His eyes at your celebration or rhythm? Why do you give applause at a concert?
They will keep my name holy; they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. (Isaiah 29:23)
Standing is an act of reverence and respect. It’s why we stand when a bride walks down the aisle or rise when a judge enters the courtroom.
My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to You; And my soul, which You have redeemed. (Psalm 71:22-23, NASB)
Unlike a tantrum, shouts of joy are as exuberant as a winning touchdown. It’s unbridled enthusiasm, primarily as we identify, experience, and find our lives in Christ.
I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. (Psalm 9:2)
Singing invites gratitude that is expressive and declarative. Ever notice how music changes not only the feel of a room but the mood of the people as well?
Let them praise his name with dancing. (Psalm 149:3)
Movement allows our body to become an instrument (i.e., performance art).
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. (Psalm 63:4)
Lifted hands reflect an attitude of surrender, praise, or offering.
Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. (Exodus 34:8)
Bowing and kneeling invite us into submission as we humble ourselves before the Lord and honor Him.
He [Jesus] went a little beyond them, and fell on his face and prayed. (Matthew 26:39, NASB)
Lying prostrate, particularly in prayer, demonstrates surrender and reverence. It reminds us of God’s positional authority over us.
David Sunde has been involved in professional non-profit and spiritual leadership for over 20 years. He’s a native son of San Francisco, California, with a bachelor’s in public administration from San Diego State University and a master’s degree from Azusa Pacific University. He is currently working on his Doctorate in Semiotics, Culture & the Church through George Fox University. David and his wife, Laurel, have two kids, Bjorn and Annika and live in Austin, TX. Sunde’s newest book, Small-Batch Disciplemaking, will release in February 2024 from NavPress.
Taken from Small-Batch Disciplemaking: A Rhythm for Training the Few to Reach the Many by David Sunde © 2023. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Copyright information for photo: Author photo by Suzanne Covert Photography, Copyright © 2023. All Rights Reserved.