I had the privilege of being in the music ministry for about 35 years. It was an amazing thing to be able to lead in sharing the love and presence of God through music. Music reaches down to our souls like nothing else can. While we may not always be able to remember a verse we read, the words of a song that touched our hearts can stay with us for a lifetime, lifting us in times of need and refreshing us from the inside out.
Standing onstage, leading worship, I've had the opportunity to witness the touch of music upon many people. Some people were fully engaged from the moment they walked through the doors of the church, high school auditorium, cafeteria, etc. It was as if they looked forward all week for the chance to be able to worship! They worshipped fully with hands raised, joyful faces, eyes closed. Others, would, hesitantly, clap along with the faster songs, and when the slower songs began, their eyes would close and you could tell they were in their own private worship time, oblivious to others around them. Still others, you could tell, came in carrying the weight of their world on their shoulders. For these people, it was a struggle just to come to church...just to put one foot in front of the other. I've seen what happens when the words of a song are exactly what that person needed to hear at that moment. The silent tears and the look of peace upon their faces. There was a comfort that was happening, a refreshing. Then there were others that sat with their arms crossed, faces set with a look that said, "try and reach me if you can." Sadly, these people don't realize all they are missing out on. For whatever reason, they've chosen not to engage. The music might be "too loud" or the church "too non-traditional" or the people "disrespectful because of how they're dressed."
Worship isn't about "others" or the "type of service" or even about "church" or "religion." Worship is about spending time with the One who loves us more than life, itself. It's a "one on one" relationship. When we spend time, one on one, with our Abba Father, we are spending time in the presence of love, being loved, being encouraged, and reminded that there is One who is greater than all the things that are happening in our world and He is more than able to handle all of it.
When we spend time in worship, we are not only worshipping Him, but His Spirit is ministering to us. We all need to be nourished, to be refreshed, to feel joyful and alive. When we sing, and engage, we are awakening that part of our souls. It doesn't matter what kind of voice we have. I cannot tell you how many times people have said to me..."I can't carry a tune in a bucket. If I sang, the people next to me would tell me to be quiet." To these people, I would say, don't you know that God knows the voice he gave to you? Your voice is music to His ears. Your singing is for your relationship with Him, not for the people next to you. To the people sitting next to that person, I would say, "If you are listening to the person next to you, you are not fully involved in your worship. Every voice is a sweet sound to His ears. Tune in to God and tune out to what's going on around you."
Music can minister to us wherever we choose to worship. We can be in a car, singing along as loud as we can. We can be at home, singing along while we're cleaning. We can be at work with our music playing softly in the background, when a favorite song comes on and just washes over us with peace. Sometimes, just reading the lyrics to a song, can minister to us. It doesn't matter where we are, because wherever we are, He is.
Find a song that really means something to you, that touches your very soul. Write down the words, sing it, listen to it. Engage, sing, and connect to your Father who loves you dearly and loves hearing your voice. You will be refreshed, you will be renewed, you will be ministered to.
Jamie Grace has written a song called "Beautiful Day." It's all about taking the time to "get your worship on." Take time today to "get your worship on."
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