Embrace truth; embrace love.

A recent conversation about contemporary christian radio has lead me to think deeply about worship. Worship is one of the most powerful and multi-functional tools of the Christian life. In fact, we are called to live a life of worship to God. What does that mean exactly? 

Heart posture.

We are supposed to have a heart posture of worship. It is for this exact reason that I have been reluctant to join the worship team at my church despite many invitations. I have been contending for a pure heart of worship—one that will help me stay focused on Jesus and still be able to make music that is pleasant to hear (for my personal worship time purposes, the latter is not necessary, but I know I would not be able to function in the former without the latter in public worship). So many times, I find myself getting distracted by others around me, the music itself, the lyrics, mistakes, poor singing quality (big one for me as a vocalist), inability to harmonize with the person next to me. There are SO MANY things that can be distractions. Much of the Old Testament actually addresses the issue of distraction directly. As for today, through fellowship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit we can overcome this, but it is still a battle. Jesus calls us patiently, sweetly, to focus only on him. That is why it is possible to live a life of worship. Worship is not music, worship is the act where we humbly come before our Lord and Savior and ,as one gazing into the eyes of the one they love, just get lost in his love and allow him to peer directly into our heart.

When we allow Jesus to love on us in worship, we are edified in countless ways. Such an amazing God we serve! Even when we give to him of our time, attention and heart in worship, he gives right back to us! Here are just a few of the ways I have personally experienced:

• Restored/assured sense of priority
• Healing
• Revelation
• Shifting of the atmosphere on the earth toward the atmosphere of heaven
• Peace
• Joy
• Release of unseen spiritual things of heaven into the earth (sometimes you will see the fruit later and go “WOW I had no idea how important that was when that happened! Thank you Jesus!”)
• Strengthened relationship with the Living God

Regarding CC radio, I’m frankly disappointed. However, God has given me discernment in many of the issues that the CC radio and artists face. Some of it is fear on behalf of the radio station that they need to play the hits to stay in business. Also, the artists are human and therefore struggle with confidence, purity of heart, their understanding of the gospel, and many other issues that can hinder them from making music that glorifies God in spirit and truth. Once again, I want to emphasize that it is really and truly about the heart.

It doesn’t matter if we sing off key, only play four chords and still manage to fumble with them, compose the simplest of tunes with the most elementary of words. If we keep focused on Jesus and casting our love on him, then our otherwise clanging cymbals become instruments of worship (1 Cor. 13).