A Way of Life

Everytime I get on stage, I have to remember that leading people in worship is not about me. My truest hearts desire is that people would engage with the living God. But somewhere in the back recesses of my brain, I think that if only I can play a killer arrangement, add just the right amount of dynamics and distortion that people will stand and rejoice in God’s goodness. And if the congregation doesn’t engage I somehow failed them. Maybe I could’ve picked better songs or chosen a better key for them to sing in. Crazy, I know.

There are signs that all musicians look for to see if people are engaged. We look for raised hands, closed eyes, bowed knees, and loud voices. As if we could tell a persons Spirituality by there faces and posture! I know there is a connection to acting out what you are singing. If we are sitting on our hands while we sing, “Oh I feel like dancing! It’s foolishness I know.” there is a hypocrisy there that disconnects our minds and our hearts. But if we are standing with hands lifted high as we sing, “So we raise up holy hands,” our brains and body connect in a way to make the words more engaging. I can’t tell you the amount of times I have been leading people in song and my mind is a million places other than church. “What am I having for lunch? or I wonder if Lisa has book club tonight?” We can’t help it sometimes.

So last Sunday, I come home from church and my wife reminds me of something I already know, but need reminding of. She asked how church went, and I was discouraged because it felt like people weren’t engaging. Lisa gently reminded me that God is the one who does all the work. He convicts, encourages, bring us back, and speaks to us no matter the circumstances or songs I choose. God cares more about the church than I ever could. And He is calling me to be faithful, not necessarily successful.

‘Cause it’s all about Him