Modesty cloths beware. 

It’s certainly different for every denomination, but if you attend or have ever been to a more charismatic church, you may have seen some spiritual planking in full effect.  I wasn’t raised in the church, so this was incredibly hard for me to justify at first.  Because it’s always follows an inspiring message, I’m in this warm state of peace and encouragement, and then I see this and it’s just not at all what my heart feels like doing.

Experiences like this teach me two things.

The first is that I am not alone in thinking this is weird.  I don’t always know it at the time, because I just see everyone so accepting of people’s expression towards God’s presence.  It’s usually after the service at lunch when people let me know, “That’s not how everyone worships.”  It gives me a sense of personal stability in knowing that I’m not crazy for not slip-n-sliding down the aisle to an altar call.

The second is that God is as unique and different as every style of worship.  The intention of the heart greatly outweighs the way people express it in public.  Some are born out of habit to shout and be very charismatic, while others feel bad about sneezing out loud during worship.  To each his own.  The most important thing in establishing a personal relationship with Christ is the “personal” part.  Romans 12:2 specifically tells us not to conform to patterns, but to be “transformed by the renewing of our minds.”  For me, this is even applied even within the walls of the church.  Worship is such a passionate thing, that we often are misguided into thinking there’s only one way to do it.  As long as it isn’t for show and dressed up (or dressed down) because that’s how your church culture feels is the only way, then express the way you see fit.  I warn you: in this doesn’t mean go crazy.  You can’t shout-kick a greeter and call it spirit-lead.  Ensure your act of worship and lifestyle is in line with word of God.  Outside of that just isn’t a good look.

God is many things, but He is first the Father.  He desires a personal relationship and for you to obey and be happy in His call for your life!  He comes before the people who sit next to you on Sunday morning.  When we worship him freely, we see the influence our relationships have on the lives of others.  Whether you Statue or Plank in church, do it out of your love for God— not anyone else.

-Jason O’Toole

(Source: memoir.jasonotoole.com)