Random Thoughts on Worship

I wrote this on Sunday, after the worship service at my church. These thoughts are kind of disconnected, and don't necessarily flow too well. It's just what was flying through my mind at the time.
Why should it matter how I worship, how I praise? I don't feel right sitting down with my hands in my lap while praising my glorious, beautiful, wonderful, incredible, indescribable Savior. I want to stand and gaze at the heavens, to stand in wonder of my Lord. His Word commands me to "Shout for joy... worship with gladness... and... joyful songs." (Ps. 100) I am commanded to praise Him JOYFULLY. When truly joyful, my emotions can not be contained while sitting still.
If I raise my hands in honor of my God, why should I be judged and whipsered about? Worship is a personal act, and there is no "right way" to worship. My Lord reaches down to me every day, and sometimes I need to remind myself to reach up to Him. He meets me where I am. If I want to raise my hands, to stand up, as a symbol of being closer to Him, why should it matter what you think?
For that matter, I WILL raise my voice. I am to "make a joyful noise unto" my Lord. No, I can't sing. This will not, will never, stop me from singing out to Him with all that is within me. I apologize if my off-key voice is messing up your "experience." My Lord knows that I am singing to Him and Him alone, and He loves it. In fact, my Father thinks I have a beautiful voice, and wants me to raise it up to Him.
"Every tongue in heaven and earth shall declare Your glory, every knee shall bow at Your throne and worship" (Ancient of Days) On the flipside, maybe you praise best on you rknees. Perhaps you feel closest to our Father while you're sitting in church singing hymns. Possibly you connect with the Lord of all on a beach, under the stars. Maybe God speaks to you through the classic Gregorian chant, maybe it's through the beat of a drum. That's okay.
His Word commands us to worship joyfully and with gladness. It does NOT say "with a full band," but it also does NOT say "only with piano or organ." My Father will meet you where you are. He knows how to still your heart, how to turn your mind to Him. He will find you. You can find Him anywhere. Worship doesn't have to involve music. Worship can be done wherever, whenever, whatever, however, whoever you are. He will meet you.
Friends, I beg you, leave it to our Father to decide what is acceptable, who is using outward gestures of worship "just for attention." He knows whether we are pouring out our hearts for His glory or ours. I truly believe that our Lord doesn't care HOW we are praising Him, just so it's genuine.
Hymns, choruses, praise songs, poems, chants, instrumentals, drama, dance, speech, standing, sitting, kneeling, off key, on key, eyes closed, hands raised, a capella, as long as it's an act of love to God; an offering of thanks to Him for His love; if it's for Him and not you, he LOVES it. And if it's truly for Him, that's all that matters.