Handcuffed Emotions—Straight as a Gun Barrel but Just as Empty

Sadly, many conservatives chastise things like emotional and extended worship, and avoid it like a plague. To them, lengthy worship is brainwashing, and weeping at the altar is too emotional. Is it wrong when prodigals come home and can’t contain their emotions? Should we be embarrassed when addicts are weeping because the Savior set them free at the altar? When was the last time you wept over the condition of our churches, families, and nation? If you never have, then you fill in the blank.

Let me be brutally honest: many who show contempt for profoundly deep and moving experiences with God have never experienced them for themselves. If they avoid prayer meetings, complain about extended and emotional worship, never miss a meal for God, are unaffected by the depravity around them, and are too mature to go to the altar, are these people truly filled with God’s Spirit? Granted, there are seasons when we aren’t involved in a lot of things, but excuses should not hide our lack of hunger for God.

Do we really believe Jesus would tell us to sit down and be quiet during worship? Would He want us standing like dead men in a cemetery? Not a chance! Our hearts should be deeply engaged. Jesus may rebuke silly trends and sappy worship songs with no theological bearing, but would He handcuff our emotions? Read More