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How do you lead worship when you don't feel like it?
Started by la_beth on 27 October 2008 - 11:37pm
| 27 October 2008 - 11:37pm | |
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I think of so many times when I've had to lead worship when I've wanted to do anything but worship never mind try and lead others to do so. I think to recently when I got a text literally minutes before a baptism service I was helping to lead worship at, telling me a friend had died. Our praise and songs were full of celebration as the people being baptised shared testimony, but my own heart was full of discourage, upset, anguish, anger and grief. I just wonder how other people deal with leading worship when you don't really feel like it? |
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
That verse right there followed by The old classic, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I find that if I do it, maybe just doing the songs straight God blesses that faithfulness. I find that when I feel stressed, unprepared, tired or even downhearted (or all of these at once), God still uses me.
That is a tough question.
It is only one side of the story to say that aligning our hearts and voices with the words of a song of joy may speak joy into our lives (even if we don't "feel it"). I think the more powerful statement is in our declaring God's greatness despite our situation can speak to each individual where they are. You and I both have a decision we must make when faced with any circumstance: do we follow what seems right to us, or do we proclaim God's right-ness despite all things.
However, I would never lightly brush aside something like a friend's death or the like. Those sorts of things are very real and cut to the heart. My personal experiences finds God faithful to provide for me wherever I am when I choose to push hard into Him when my life comes crashing down.
I think it's in moments like these where God is simply asking for obedience and faithfulness to what he has called us to rather than warm and happy feelings. It also helps me to keep in mind that my role as a worship leader is a servant to the people and to God. As a servant, I'm required to look past myself--to deny myself. On the other hand, this isn't to say you ignore your current circumstances--that's not what I'm trying to say. But sometimes taking up my cross involves serving the people by leading them in declaring how great God is despite my current circumstances and feelings. I would say though there are times when the most good and healthy thing to do is take a break.
This is not to say that this is something that comes easy...
I think Brett hit on the head when he said it's time "to deny myself." You will alwasy find yourself in a situation at some point where you just don't feel like leading people in worship. One thing that God has impressed upon me when this happens is to realize the need that is before you. There are people coming to church right now who need to feel and experince the presence of God. It doesn't matter what I'm feeling right now because those people NEED to feel right now.
I agree with Brett too. When I read the title of the post my initial thought was: "Better".
It must be horrid to find out news like that just before leading - but in the bigger picture, what better is there to do in times like this. Corrie Ten Boom was pretty inspirational in that line (even though I have no idea if she could ever play a note) - she always gave thanks to God in the midst of some of the most atrocious circumstances of the past 100 years.
A worship leader friend of mine recently went through a really tough time and was questioning whether he should be leading at a time like this, I just kept telling him that it was one of the best times to be leading. There is something very powerful when times are tough and we stretch that bit more to reach for God... I think it does hone ones character and can help focus us.
If we only lead when things are rosey and going well, what kind of leaders would we be?
PS None of this is intended to demean or devalue you experience. I just always get scared of whether what I write in forums gets read in the correct spirit.
Thanks, these are all great points and that really encourages...
http://brunettekoala.wordpress.com
I think its your concept of worship before you encounter your situation - that determines what you then do..
For me, worship is a response from your heart - and often when circumstances come our way and our heart responds in a way which is defiant and overcoming above all that life has, can or will throw at us... then thats real worship.... and its mint!
One mid week meeting i found out my gran had just died, i cried before i even got up to lead... but once i was up i my heart said no matter what life throws at me - i'm gonna lead these guys into the prescence of God - whatever the cost...
The bigger picture of worship always humbles me - you look at paul and silus worshiping in prison and you gotta just wanna have that same heart... its so much more powerful when you've broken through something personally in worship... especially if your bringing that breakthrough then to your congregation by just worshiping with em and leading em..
Woship is a constant response from within... sometimes we gotta be determined to let that out.. no matter what.
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I Love God - I Love People - I Love Life