Take It In
I reviewed the set list and I get a little excited every time I see myself leading a song. I was equally excited that the song our worship Pastor chose for me was a new song. As I usually do I began reviewing and rehearsing the song and listening to the other songs scheduled. It wasn't long in that the songs took on a life of their own.They were more than melodies and harmonies and swells and dynamics. The words were alive and ministering to me.
It's hard sometimes as a worship team member to not become rote in our service. We get the set list and rehearse and only look for the right key or how well the music sounds or how good the vocals sound. At times its an inner struggle to remember that the songs we sing aren't just songs. These songs are being presented at a time when people are vulnerable. In a worship setting the congregation or audience aren't just there to hear good music. Honestly they can get that on the radio or by CD. In a worship setting they are there expecting and receptive for God to meet them. For some people they are seeking restoration. For some healing. For some solace. For some they don't know what they are seeking but they feel empty and know they can't live life on their own and need something more.
That's when a worship song enters and can change expectation and lives. In those moments when people are face to face with God and words of a song become their mantra. The rhythm and eloquence of words can be spoken from a hurting heart in such a way that the audience can't fathom any other interpretation of what they are feeling. They can't contain themselves and they know that the song is THEIR song. When they have no words a songwriter has penned their emotions without ever meeting. That's the power of Worship and Praise music.
I don't know of another form of music where the purpose and intent is to grab God's attention and bring Him into communion with us in such a very vulnerable way. Whether the music is very simple or intricate it's purpose is the same.
As a worship member it is an honor to lead a congregation into this form of 'holy of holies'. It's sacred! It's an important part of our relationship with God. We cannot have a relationship with God without being able to tell Him how big He is and how small we are in comparison and how we need Him!
Elevation Worship does a song called 'Nothing Is Wasted'. We are worshipping with this song this week and the more I listened to the words the more I loved the message of the song. So often we feel that God can only use portions of our life. He can't really use those areas and times where we have royally screwed up. Those are times where we are forgiven but He must push those into the background. I love the idea that Nothing we have encountered in our lives is wasted. God can use every experience for His good. There are a couple of lines from the song that really grabbed me:
You gave the blind man sight
You raised the dead to life
You've done the same for me, Jesus ...
It's hard sometimes as a worship team member to not become rote in our service. We get the set list and rehearse and only look for the right key or how well the music sounds or how good the vocals sound. At times its an inner struggle to remember that the songs we sing aren't just songs. These songs are being presented at a time when people are vulnerable. In a worship setting the congregation or audience aren't just there to hear good music. Honestly they can get that on the radio or by CD. In a worship setting they are there expecting and receptive for God to meet them. For some people they are seeking restoration. For some healing. For some solace. For some they don't know what they are seeking but they feel empty and know they can't live life on their own and need something more.
That's when a worship song enters and can change expectation and lives. In those moments when people are face to face with God and words of a song become their mantra. The rhythm and eloquence of words can be spoken from a hurting heart in such a way that the audience can't fathom any other interpretation of what they are feeling. They can't contain themselves and they know that the song is THEIR song. When they have no words a songwriter has penned their emotions without ever meeting. That's the power of Worship and Praise music.
I don't know of another form of music where the purpose and intent is to grab God's attention and bring Him into communion with us in such a very vulnerable way. Whether the music is very simple or intricate it's purpose is the same.
As a worship member it is an honor to lead a congregation into this form of 'holy of holies'. It's sacred! It's an important part of our relationship with God. We cannot have a relationship with God without being able to tell Him how big He is and how small we are in comparison and how we need Him!
Elevation Worship does a song called 'Nothing Is Wasted'. We are worshipping with this song this week and the more I listened to the words the more I loved the message of the song. So often we feel that God can only use portions of our life. He can't really use those areas and times where we have royally screwed up. Those are times where we are forgiven but He must push those into the background. I love the idea that Nothing we have encountered in our lives is wasted. God can use every experience for His good. There are a couple of lines from the song that really grabbed me:
You gave the blind man sight
You raised the dead to life
You've done the same for me, Jesus ...
And Nothing is wasted
You work all things for Good
Nothing is wasted
Your promise remains
Forever You reign
Your promise remains
Forever You reign
What a powerful and awesome message. God can use me ... ALL of me and EVERYTHING I have done for good!
jamie
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