Naked Worship

Yes. Naked Worship. I can’t be the only one that regularly worships Jesus when I’m naked. Am I? Before you start judging me or condemning me for what you may consider sacrilege - hear me out. Listening to and singing worship music is a big part of my daily commune with Jesus. I love immersing myself in the lyrics and melody that embeds God’s glory in my soul. It also just so happens that I turn up my little Bluetooth speaker while I’m showering and getting ready for the day. Hence, why I’m naked. See, it’s not so bad. Right? And for the record when I get out of the shower I do put something on.

I would actually suggest that being naked, not in a literal sense, but in a figurative sense is a beautiful model of how to worship God. According to Merriam-Webster, besides being bare, without clothing, naked also can mean: “devoid of concealment or disguise”. Devoid of disguise. Disguise is defined as, to hide one's true identity or imitate someone. God calls us to worship Him in truth (John 4:24), and throughout the Old Testament, he asks us to bow down and worship, which is a call to be reverent. We need to be image-bearers of God, which is without disguise and to be truthful and reverent. Being “naked” before God calls us to be honest with ourselves and be vulnerable enough to surrender any mask we’re wearing. He already knows our hearts, so we can’t fool Him anyway.

In Psalm 100:2, we are called to worship the Lord with gladness and come before him with joyful songs. This is what I do, and although I may at times be literally naked, I know that God only sees my heart (Amen, that he doesn’t care what I look like in the mirror). The lyrics in worship music encourage me to sing His praises and repeat affirmations of His love, mercy, and grace! According to NAMI (the National Alliance of Mental Illness) music acts as a medium for processing emotions, trauma, and grief—but music can also be utilized as a regulating or calming agent for anxiety. Music has always been a bit of a muse for me. I like a wide variety of music genres and each one inspires me in different ways. Worship music centers me. It reminds me of who will catch me when I fall, who will love me unconditionally, who already has forgiven my sins, and given me the precious gift of knowing I will see loved ones that I’ve lost, once again.

When I’m in a funk (that’s what I call my anxiety and depression that I’ve lived with for many years), there’s a few things that can snap me out of it. Spending time with my grandkids is one, but my go-to is (worship) music therapy. The reminders in the lyrics of how faithful and good our God is, can pull me up out of the sinking sand and place me back on firm ground. Worship music has a way of healing what hurts. I have a tendency to crank up the volume and raise my hands and dance around. I can feel Satan fleeing the room and running, knowing he lost that battle - today anyway!

We all have our own armor that we put on when times are hard. Grabbing your Bible and reading scriptures that speak peace into your pain is another way. Worship music is chockful of scripture and lyrical words that speak God’s truth into our lives. Have you ever took the lyrics from a favorite song and looked for the proof of scripture? It’s a great way to spend time with God and study scripture. If you haven’t done it, go and look up lyrics to your favorite worship song. Then take each line, or each verse, and look up Bible verses (in the concordance of your Bible or online at biblegateway.com) that match the lyrics and write out the scripture. Then next time you hear that song you’ll remember the scripture reference. You can go as deep as you want with this by reading the context of the scripture, reading the full chapter, and/or reading other translations. It’s a great way to learn scripture.

As you think about how you prefer to worship, remember that God is after your heart! It doesn’t matter how something is revealed to you or how you personally feel His presence, just do what works for YOU! Even if that is through naked worship* - go for it. God deserves your worship and praise.

If you are interested in digging into God’s word through music, check out Mercy Me’s “Even If”. This song is The following verse from this powerful song speaks truth that can bring you out of darkness and into trusting that He’s got you!

But God, when You choose

To leave mountains unmovable

Oh give me the strength to be able to sing

It is well with my soul

Or watch and listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6fA35Ved-Y

It is well, it is well, it is well with my soul!

* I DO NOT recommend naked worship beyond the privacy of your own home, and preferably away from open windows! :)