Worship comes in many forms, and for much of my life, I’ve felt a bit insecure about my ability to worship properly, effectively. I don’t have a voice fit for singing. In fact, it actually feels strained, forced, as if my lungs weren’t equipped for it. My worship is quiet, meek, simple, but what I’ve learned is that it’s not only quite powerful but also multifaceted. Most of the time at church, I bow my head, close my eyes, and I sing to the Lord in my head. Honestly, in those moments I’ve often felt moved to tears as I’ve been able to sense His presence among a room full of believers worshipping in all different types of ways, no one judging one another. Some sing loudly, some dance, some raise their hands, some cheer, some cry, and some simply lift their heads to the ceiling or bow their heads in ultimate submission.

As I sat next to my mother’s bed the other day, the Lord began to speak. Vulnerability is the key to love, and more importantly, it’s the very thread that intertwines us with our Creator. We cannot worship (nor love) properly without choosing to become vulnerable. It was choosing to abandon our vulnerability which removed us from Eden, the place of eternal worship of our Creator. We were all made to love; we were all made to be vulnerable before God; we were all made for worship, though that doesn’t always look the same for everyone. Choosing to spend time every day with my mother, she and I both in a state of complete and utter vulnerability, no matter how painful that is for me in her condition—that’s a reflection of the love of God which lives inside of me; that is bringing glory to Him; ultimately even that is worship.

I began to recall all the different ways we worship and what exactly that looks like in my own life. One of my favorite ways to worship is to pack up my paints, go sit outside in nature, and let the Lord inspire me to go on and inspire others.

Worship for me so often comes through my creativity and using my God given gifts to serve others. This is how my Father built me. Being on the photography team at church requires a bit of vulnerability; you stand out no matter how hard you may try to blend in. People notice you, and some may even resent you for interrupting. I took these photos in perhaps some of my favorite moments of worship, moments I lost myself completely, and I wasn’t worried about what others were thinking. I was simply focused on glorifying God. This is what love—this is what worship is all about—losing yourself.

It’s easy to worship when everything is going well, but what about in the midst of a storm? That can so often be the most difficult time to worship, when we are feeling even more vulnerable. Truthfully though, this is how we overcome; we dance in the rain, and we walk on water. When we take our focus off of our storm, off of ourselves, and instead shift our focus to God, we become one with our Creator; this is what we were made for.

“Made For Worship” was ironically created on a day worship was the last thing I felt like doing. God had other plans. As I sat next to my mother’s bed and tried my best to remind her of who she was, I began to create a very childlike piece of art. It’s a reflection of my vulnerability in that moment. Vulnerability is what worship is all about. We cannot truly worship without surrendering our pride and even our pain. However you choose to worship, I hope you remember that.

It’s not easy to speak out about God in the midst of a sea of unbelievers and even more people who choose to keep their faith to themselves. Perhaps it’s not easy to outwardly worship in a room where many people choose to worship more traditionally, quietly, or even silently. I’ve come to realize a lot about myself in creating this piece—this is who I am; this is how I worship; this is the best way I know how, and that’s ok. In fact, it’s more than ok; it’s exactly the way my Father made me.

“Made for Worship” was created in hopes to inspire people, particularly younger generations to embrace their vulnerability and worship the way they were created to; all worship is holy and acceptable to God. This piece is pictured in a gold Victorian frame for inspiration but is available for purchase unframed in my Etsy Shoppe and EBay Store.

kamillestreasures.etsy.com
eBay.com/usr/kamillegrace16

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Worship forms

in all shapes and kinds.

All of God’s children

have unique hearts and minds.

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It’s not always through

raised hands or song.

If it glorifies God,

worship can never be wrong.

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Heaven is vast;

His altar wide.

No sacrifice overlooked;

no gift denied.

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Some lift their voice;

some lift a hand.

Some lift a paint brush;

some take the stand.

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From spoken word

to silent art.

God knows the language

of every heart.

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I pray that my words

may speak truly to you.

This is my worship,

what I was made to do.

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Using our gifts

yields joy and splendor.

We were made for worship,

created to surrender.