When All Else Fails-Worship

“He who sings, prays twice” St Augustine

Do you feel like you don’t have answers for what is going on in the world? Or you may know the scripture, but you’re still flabbergasted on a daily basis? Is there something that you can do? Don’t let the title fool you, worship should be at the top of the list when life inevitably seeps in with its heaviness. The Bible gives us an answer, we must worship

Music sings to our soul and spirit

Have you ever found a song that touches the very depths of your soul? You feel as if every part of you is impacted by the strains of the music. It is so good that if you miss a stanza you have to restart the song again. Each word is like a prayer when you need to escape the trials and toils of the world. What is that? Why do you feel that way? You feel that way because music was created by God to open our soul and spirit to Him. 

Did you know that Heaven is filled with music?

God’s very voice is musical, Ezekiel describes it as the sound of many waters. Why do you think the sound of a running stream, a waterfall or rain is so good to hear? The sound hearkens to the voice of God and His perfect creation. The birds sing their song, the wind weaves its whistling tune, God writes His song to us each and every day.

What is the state of worship today?

I want to say a few things about the state of worship at the moment. These ideas may not be very popular, but these observations are from my heart. Since childhood I have sat at the feet of great musicians, as a little one I watched my big brother while he practiced for his juries as a piano major. When I came of age, I started my musical training. Since that time it has been a blessing to serve in many capacities within the music ministry. Worship has definitely changed over the years, in some ways it has become self-centered rather than God-centered. 

 Worship of God is filled with Light

• I John 1:5 tells us that God is Light, in Him there is no darkness at all (no, not in any way). What do many of us see when we walk into a worship experience? A dark room with flashing lights and a “show” rather than a light filled experience that focuses solely on God. He needs no fancy show nor pulsing light, He is the source of light. I’ll never forget when I was asked to substitute as a pianist at a church, I walked in the sanctuary and couldn’t see my hand in front of my face. The room was pitch black save for the stage that had flashing strobe lights. I said to the pastor, “Where is the bar and the stripper pole?” He looked at me quite confused. That probably wasn’t the best thing to say, but the church reminded me of my young days going to dance clubs and getting lost in darkness, wine and strobe lights. Needless to say, I was not asked to substitute at that church again. 

God-Centered Worship is key

• Worship is God focused not me focused. Recently I was helping another worship leader find some music to compliment the service. The sermon was to be about glorifying God. My friend looked at me and said, “Do you know how hard it is to find modern worship music that is not all about Me! Me! Me?” Worship is all about God, not about ourselves. Now, before someone thinks that they should debase themselves as unworthy, we are worthy because Christ made us worthy. In that blood spattered walk to the cross with all of its weight of sin, Jesus made us worthy to walk with Him. In that walk, we are given the true privilege of sharing His praise that washes away the dust of the soul and life. 

Should we listen to secular music at all?

You might be thinking, “She sure is a musical purist, listening only to Christian music.” Well, yes and no. A few years ago I had a dear client who was about 93 years old. We talked about music and how it has changed over the years. She asked me to look up the number 1 song when she was 13 years old. Do you know what the song was? Chattanooga Choo-Choo by Glenn Miller. “Pardon me boys, is that the Chattanooga Choo-Choo? Track 29.” It was a song about getting the train to see his sweetheart. It was utterly delightful. Out of curiosity I looked up what was popular when I was a bit younger. I had a chuckle because it was, “Baby Got Back.” It was all about big butts. Yes, music has changed quite a lot since Chattanooga Choo-Choo. In the next paragraph we’ll delve deeper into whether we should listen to secular music. 

Was Lucifer in charge of music in Heaven?

Some scholars believe that Lucifer was in charge of Heavenly music. The scripture that they use is located in Ezekiel 28. Lucifer’s timbrels and pipes were perfection, he was adorned with every jewel and precious stone. He was utterly breathtaking. Whether Lucifer was or was not a music director, one truth is absolutely certain. What God creates, Lucifer challenges its beauty with a counterfeit. How like the enemy to take a beautiful set of chords and notes and make them turn to inward focus and fleshly pursuits. In college I can’t tell you how many people I met that were riddled with drug addictions, alcoholism, sexual exploits with everyone and everything. Why? Think about it, if God’s worship is so close to His heart and His beauty is expressed through music, the enemy would set his sights on destroying those who have a smidge of talent that would dare to glorify God. This bleeds over into popular musicians, so many have battled nasty addictions in their world of darkness and desire. Lucifer desires worship, that is why he was cast out of Heaven. Only God is deserving of our worship. 

Have you ever taken a moment and truly pondered lyrics?

“Do what you want with my body. You can’t have my heart, You can’t have my mind, but you can do what you want with my body.” I used to sing those lyrics with abandon. “God, what have you done? I think of my wicked dreams a year from Tennessee. Pink Pony Club, I’m gonna keep dancing at the Pink Pony club.” Another song that gets stuck in our heads. If music opens a portal to our soul and spirit, is this a diet you can subsist on? We are created to commune with God, to walk in His way and truly know the depths of His love. My body is to be a living sacrifice to my desires and brought into sup with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Personally, a diet of secular music is much like eating junk food day in and day out. It will satisfy an urge for a time but it will not truly give you the nutrition you need to walk with purpose and vigor. 

Seek God’s will in your musical life

Each person’s walk with God is different, you must ask yourself what God wants with your worship with Him. Dear ones, with the state of the world at the moment, we need the soul strength of God’s Words to fill us up. I still enjoy Vic Damone, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr and all the classic artists of times past, but I was born with an old musical soul. The meat and potatoes of my diet is worship of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I encourage you all to take a week and submerge yourselves in God’s praise and see if it makes any difference. I’ve got a link to a worship playlist and my YouTube page for you to listen if you so desire. King David, Moses, and Jesus Himself sang songs of praise to God. Jesus on the verge of his painful death on the cross sang a hymn of praise to the Father. Let us praise God with our beautiful life song