Shedding Tears

Just when preaching in church at the pulpit, I think I’ve teared up twice already. Once due to a sad situation that directly affected me and another when the Holy Spirit touched me and spoke to me intensely through my own message. In both, it was quite an embarrassing situation but I somehow did not squelch the tears. I guess the story here is that when God moves, it is alright in fact good to let it all flow out, whether tears of joy and gratitude or even sorrow. In my second experience above, it gave credence to the principle that a message should speak to the speaker first.

In other instances, when alone and in worship, it is much easier to shed tears of gratitude and thankfulness just knowing that God is with us. Sometimes in worship, the presence of God is so strong and real that we just cannot contain our emotions and it should be like that. When God touches us, just allow the moment to flow and soak in His presence – allow Him to speak to us, to correct us, to strengthen and encourage us, to edify and minister to us even as we minister to Him in worship. He is God and doesn’t need us and yet He is happy to dwell in the praises of His people, His children as our praise and worship is a sweet incense, a sweet aroma unto His throne.

I think the takeaway today is to let ourselves go when God moves in His presence and envelopes us. It could be when we are preaching, when we are leading worship or when we are alone worshipping Him, reading His Word or even when we are listening to a song. Allow the moment to overcome us. Let our emotions out, let our guard down. Allow the Holy Spirit to touch and convict us, to lift us up. Don’t squelch the tears, don’t rein in the emotions. Let the LORD be God, let Him rule and reign, let Him take control for He is our God and our King!

Happy Chinese New Year to all who are celebrating! Xin Nien Kuai Le! May this coming year be a better year for all of us and may our Father in heaven pour out a greater portion of His anointing upon us that we may be strengthened and empowered to do more for Him and His Kingdom of Grace!