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It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly five years since the start of the 2020 pandemic. I vividly recall where I was when it dawned on me just how serious things were becoming. Masks, mandates, lockdowns—all felt surreal! Those were some uncertain times, but reflecting on them now, I see the valuable lessons I learned about worship and worship ministry during that time. Continue reading to find out what they were.

The first lesson that I learned is that my appearance should never hinder my worship. Whether I’m wearing the most expensive shoes I’ve ever owned, the purest white dress, or perfectly applied makeup, none of these should stop me from dancing for the Lord or getting on my knees in reverence. The possibility of damaging my shoes, dirtying my dress, or sweating off my makeup should never be a concern. I must commit to expressing my worship in whatever way the Lord guides me! During lockdowns, when we had to attend church online, I wasn’t worried about my attire. Although I made an effort to still look nice, I didn’t care about the fate of my clothes. This experience taught me that when we gather in church and worry about appearances, it’s often due to fear of judgment from others. Looking good and carrying oneself well is important, but when you are praising and worshiping God, these concerns should fade away.

The second lesson I learned is that worship is truly a personal connection between me and God, even when I’m on the platform leading others. When I step onto that platform, my primary focus is to minister to Him. As I do so, He guides me in ministering to His people. As a congregation, we must learn to block out distractions and focus solely on Him. Whether we’re dancing, singing, clapping, or raising our hands, it doesn’t matter who is watching. Remember how you worshipped alone during the lockdowns, with no one observing? That’s what our worship should look like, even in the midst of a crowd.

Lastly, the 2020 pandemic taught me the importance of gathering with fellow believers to worship. Before the pandemic, it never occurred to me that there might come a time when I couldn’t meet with my church family, especially living in the West where we don’t face such persecution. I had always imagined that maybe during the rise of the anti-Christ, there would be intense persecution making gatherings difficult. However, I never anticipated that in 2020, I would be unable to worship Jesus with fellow believers for months. Experiencing the lockdowns and also coming out of that season has caused me to appreciate even more the ability to attend church and to worship with like-minded people. Remember the upper room in the book of Acts? That’s where many of the believers were baptized with fire and power from above! Jesus could have told them to pray individually at home as they await the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, but instead He asked them to be together in one room. There is power when God’s children gather together! Do you recall the first Sunday we could finally gather in person again? I’m sure your memory is filled with love, joy, excitement and hope! So, let’s bring that same energy every time we gather for worship!

I’m sure you’ve also gained a lot of insights during that season! We’d love to hear from you in the comments below or on our Instagram!

I hope you were blessed by this post!

until next time,

Shalom

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