#eventherockscryout

ABOUT ME.

I think that as a worship leader and/or member, I often forget what it truly means to worship. Too many times have I gotten too caught up in the technicalities and production of the musical aspect of worshiping that I have completely lost sight of the essence of what it means to praise God for who He truly is. When I become too concerned with what songs I should pick, or whether the set flows musically or not, or whether the key is in everybody’s range, or whether the PowerPoint has typos in it – all this distracts from why we worship. Yes, choosing the right songs are important .Yes, picking a key that is accessible is significant. Yes, making sure there are not too many things that could distract a congregation is crucial. BUT it’s also important to remember that worship sets are not about the congregation. It’s not about ourselves. It’s not even about the church. It’s about – and ONLY about – God.

When we fail to remember that God is our audience, “worship” becomes a performance.

When we forget that it is indeed the Spirit that leads us, “worship” becomes fuel to our egos.

When we believe that we are the ones transforming hearts through our music, “worship” becomes opportunities in which Satan can tempt and use us.

When we think that worship is only 15 to 20 minutes of singing once a week on Sundays, “worship” becomes something we do and not something we live.

Music can be a part of worship, but ultimately, worship is the way we live. It does not end when the song ends; it does not end when we step off the stage; it does not even end when we walk out of the church. Worship should be evident in the way we act, talk, think, do, sing, care, and love. It should saturate every part of our lives and everything we do should be an act of worship to the only God that deserves our fullest praise.

Reading 1 Chronicles 16:7-36 was a good reminder of what worship should and must look like. Our God is so mighty that it is not even only we that worship – but ALL OF CREATION.

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; Let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!” Let the sea resound, and all that it in it; Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them! Let the trees of the forest sing, Let them sing for joy before the Lord, For he comes to judge the earth. (1 Chr 16: 31-33)

That is worship at its purest.

“But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”

-Luke 19:40

Here, where the cliffs run 

red with the blood of earth,

rocks stained with 

centuries of stories

collected in layers of sediment,

(which in places show their yellow-gold

as time-weathered wrinkles

that suggest their age),

preach the history of

their formation 

to the seabed and the tide,

an attentive parish swaying to hymns

uplifted from sea foam pews

under the watch of a heavy sun,