When I first visited New Hope Church several years ago, I distinctly remember being quite unsettled by all the clapping. I come from a long generation of "non-clapping church goers."

So, I admit, I went to the Gospel Music Celebration on Sunday, April 24, 2005, feeling like a tourist. Here I was, a white, middle-class woman from suburbia hoping to get an authentic taste of what people refer to as "gospel music." I attended because I expected to be entertained by a show.

It was quite a show. Artistic lighting. Smoke for dramatic effect. Sunday-best clothing. A big band. Numerous choirs. Ironically though, this setting was much quieter than the world my husband and I had left as we entered NHC's doors. We stepped away from our televisions, radios, computers and cell phones and joined hearts and voices to proclaim just one simple, straight-forward message: "Praise God!"

It's fascinating how much movement is created by God when we stop moving out of selfish reasons. During the celebration, I was moved to my feet, but often felt like I should have been on my knees. I raised my hands, clapped my hands, folded my hands; at times I had no idea what to do with my hands. I thought they might shake uncontrollably if I didn't use them somehow to show the Lord how happy I was to be His. I actually skipped into the parking lot afterwards!

I was energized by a "fanatical" feeling for the Lord that I hadn't felt since I was a child." I haven't felt this way since sixth grade summer Bible camp!" I exclaimed to my husband. Except for the lack of poison oak, mosquitoes and canoes, the experience was actually very similar.

The truth is, God probably hadn't seen this side from me either since sixth grade summer camp. Just as the Lord said, "Let the little children come to me," I approach the Lord best when I forget about the restraint that comes with the "adult" side of life. By fleshly instinct, I struggle to draw a line between the side of life I think I control and the side I let God touch. Yet, when I was encircled by praise from elderly ladies in thick glasses, recovering addicts, families of five, and overjoyed strangers, I heard a communal prayer saying, "There is one Life and one Life only. And, in that life, there is lots of clapping."

You should have seen me clapping at the Gospel Music Celebration. I am positive some day I will clap with Christ. The very thought sets me free from my life on this earth. It moves me right out of my "adult" skin.

" What a source: God!
What a supply: His glorious riches!
What a channel: Jesus Christ!
It is your heavenly privilege to trust all your needs to His glorious riches, and to forget your needs in the presence of His riches. In His great love, He has thrown open to you His exhaustive treasury.
Go in and draw upon Him in simple childlike faith, and you will never again have the need to rely on anything else." –C.H. Moule