3 Tips for Contagious Worship

In a season where we are on high alert for people who are contagious, I’ve been impressed with the fact that there are scenarios where being contagious can be a very good thing! Take for example our beloved Colts. To be around Colts fans, particularly when the team is performing well, can be very contagious. We can get swept up in the emotion, which is compounded by all the people around us sharing that same emotion. Take a look at 2 Samuel 6:12-15,

Now King David was told, “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing. When those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.

David was a contagious individual—when he led, people followed. Here are three thoughts for you about being contagious like the greatest worship leader ever:

1. Being contagious means being convinced that God’s presence will result in blessing

When we are sure about this reality, you will invest yourself in whatever ways we can to experience God’s divine presence. Is God’s presence your endgame each day, particularly when we are leading God’s people in worship?

2. Being contagious means exercising caution when handling the weight of the glory of God

David went to great lengths to protect himself from mishandling the glory of God. Right before this action takes place, David and the people are transporting the ark of God back to the city of David. One of the men, Uzzah, reaches out to steady the ark and instantly, he dies because he defiled this holy ark.

Sounds harsh, but God was very clear that he would be approached on his terms alone. After this happened, David was terrified. He actually decides that another one of the men, Obed-Edom, should take the ark to his house. After David sees that Obed-Edom was blessed by the presence of God, he decides to take the ark to his own home, which was the initial plan. But David doesn’t transport the ark without care. He sacrifices a bull and a calf with every six steps that the ark moves ahead—all the way from Obed-Edom’s house in Jerusalem to the city of David! David knew that he had to exercise caution when handling the things of God. Is there a healthy fear of God in your life? Do you model that fear of the Lord in the presence of all who know you? If so, reverence will be a beautiful characteristic of your life with Jesus.

3. Being contagious means worshiping with all your might!

Notice the use of the word “all” in verses 14- 15. David worshipped with all his might and all Israel joined him in passionate expressions of worship—dancing, shouting, trumpets. David strips down to his ephod and doesn’t think about how he’s perceived. Overwhelmed with passion, he expresses it by dancing with all his might. And we read that all Israel responded to his example by joining in. Are people around you growing in their passionate expression of worship as you model going “all in”?

May each of us be fiercely committed to pursuing the glory of God with such passion that we cannot resist worshiping with all our might. And let’s ask God to do amazing things as we become contagious worshipers for his glory!