Why don't we sing like we mean it?

Last night, Dan and I went to a Hymn concert put on by some of the ABC graduates. It was held at the Kaning'a CCAP (Church of Central Africa Presbyterian) which is just around the corner from the MOH Crisis Nursery. Although we have been visiting other churches, we have gone to the CCAP one the most and will probably be attending there most times.

Anyways, the concert was great. The choir was so wonderful. There were a lot of ABC students there as well as people from the church congregation. Everyone sang along to each hymn, and we didn't just sit down and mouth the words like we do when we are worshiping in America (most times). People were singing their hearts out to God. Afterward, the senior pastor stood up and made a great point. He spoke to the fact that we do not worship God the way He deserves to be worshiped, nor do we worship Him the way He wants to be worshiped. I have always felt this way, but haven't been able to break out of the mold myself. We are too reserved, too afraid of what others will think, and worst of all, we are not really focused on glorifying the Lord with our songs and praises (myself included). I felt so relieved after last night's concert. It was so refreshing to actually enjoy God's presence, praising Him without all the background thoughts and worries.

I will truly miss worshiping and singing to God in Africa when we come home. People here look forward to praising God and they do it without any constraints. I am learning about how powerful my worship and praises to God really are. I am also learning how precious my praises are to Him and that I am actually giving glory to God when I worship him with songs. I'm sure we sound like a bunch of bored brats compared to the angels when they glorify God through songs.