As a worship leader, I ask myself, what does it look like inside the heart and mind of a worship leader? or better yet; what SHOULD the heart and mind of a worship leader look like?
Lets take a moment to ask this question; What is worship? It isn't an event to attend and watch, and its a whole lot more than the part of each Sunday service where they flash lyrics upon the screen and everyone stands and sings, motionless, and emotionless (I know, I can see their faces from onstage, and my heart grieves). Worship is a lifestyle. People can go to church and raise their hands and have an emotional response to a song, or a sermon, or a time of prayer.....yet go home and live like hell; yell, fight, cheat, steal, live miserably. That's not a worshipful Christian life......playing "Christian" like a little kid plays dress-up. I've heard it described this way, and I agree --“Worship is boundless enthusiasm with intense love, awe and respect coming from the depth of one’s being, resulting in single-minded pursuance of God through Christ, wrapped in humble allegiance.” Worship is more than a song.
True worship is a choice made by the worshiper, not something that happens. True worship is not measured by emotional responses, but by a change in the life of the worshiper. Not saying that worship doesn't have emotional ties. To think that someone could hear the good news, and hear about God's love, and see his amazing work and NOT have an emotional response would make me wonder about their heart and if they are truly saved.
We can worship God in our speech, and in our actions. When we serve others we serve God. A true worshiper seeks to live through his obedience every minute of every day, taking our eyes off of us and placing them on God and others. Expressions of worship should not be limited to church buildings. Anywhere you can think, speak, or act, you can also worship.
"God is not impressed with our worship on Sunday morning at church if we are practicing cruise control obedience the rest of the week. You may sing with reverent zest or great emotional fervor, but your worship is only as pleasing to God as the obedience that accompanies it." - Author Unknown
My desire is to bring Glory and Honor to Jesus Christ, and to encourage and inspire others to do the same. So, I need to be aware of where my heart is and where my focus is. Deuteronomy 6:5 says that I should Love the Lord my God with all of my heart, soul, and strength. Worship should be our expression of love to God. He is SO worthy of our Worship! Nothing else is as worthy. And, in order to be able to Worship God with the extravagant love that He deserves, we must first get rid of the idols in our lives that stand in the way..
Shine the light on every corner of your life
Until the pride and lust and lies are in the open
Then read the Word and put to test the things you've heard
Until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken
'Cause you can sing all you want to
Yes, you can sing all you want to
You can sing all you want to
And still get it wrong;
Oh, worship is more than a song
We must not worship something that's not even worth it
Clear the stage, make some space for the One who deserves it
Anything I put before my God is an idol
Anything I want with all my heart is an idol
And anything I can't stop thinking of is an idol
And anything that I give all my love is an idol
"The least I could do–and the most I could ever do–is to love and worship Jesus Christ with all my heart. This is in fact, the first commandment" - LeAnn Riveness
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Love and Blessings <3
Romans 12:1-2 || "
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."
