What in the world is going on??? We are in some crazy, trying times. As a worship leader…. Well… not only as a worship leader, but as a wife and mother, my faith had been shaken. I am reminded of Hebrews 12:26 - 29 which says,
26 When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also. 27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. 28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 29 For our God is a devouring fire.
Covid 19 started to really hit around the time of my birthday and I was thinking, I’m gonna go ahead and get this celebration in with a few of my close friends and family. And we did and we had a great time. #Levelingupto5point0 That was what I did… I leveled up… only to get back home to ask, WHAT IN THE WORLD IS HAPPENING?!?
Can I be honest? Fear gripped me. I was so worried about what if we get sick? What will happen if my child gets sick and is struggling to breathe? I would stay up late at night worrying and watching the TV trying to keep up with the news. Then I would sleep late past the time I would get up to have my prayer time. I was not in a good place. But one day the Holy Spirit reminded me, I did not give you a spirit of fear. But the spirit given to you was one of power, love, and a sound mind. In another translation, sound mind was translated as self-discipline. God was telling me that it’s in my disciplined life, that I would find that spirit of power and love that He had given to me. So I got myself together and started getting back to bed on time and getting up so I could spend time with HIM and exercise to take care of my spirit AND body.
Then the death of George Floyd happened. So much mess has been uncovered, shaking up the country and the church. People have been hurt by the lack of support as racial tensions rise. What do we do? How can we lead when we are hurting, still weak from the fear that gripped our hearts with covid?
I am reminded in Colossians 3 that we are not of this world. We have an inheritance in Heavenly places. As worship leaders, our responsibility is to help those we are serving become aware of the ever abiding presence of the living God. We are to receive His word, receive His promises, and let it take root in our hearts. Then we are to use that word to teach about the character, love, and faithfulness of our God through singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. What does that mean exactly?
Psalms: sing the word of God; sing exactly what His word says.
Hymns: sing songs of old; sing songs that testify of the goodness of God
Spiritual Songs: sing songs that are birthed by the Holy spirit right there in the moment.
So worship leader, if you need to regain your focus, get yourself disciplined and find your way back to the presence of God so He can fill you with His power and His love. And receive his word afresh in your heart so that you can encourage and inspire those you have been assigned to.