Have you ever come across a worship song that resonates so loudly in your spirit that you cannot help but scream out YES and AMEN? There are a few I’ve come across that I wish I had written. One is, “ Heart of Worship” by Matt Redman. (©1999 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music) I’m sure you’ve heard it and have probably even led it a time or two. I love the message of the song because it draws our attention back to the simplicity and proper focus of worship.
“When the music fades and all is stripped away and I simply come…”
What is left when the music fades? Our worship expressions have become so technologically charged these days. Culture has encouraged us to “do worship” big and loud, with energy, emotion, smoke machines and lights. Are we stirring up endorphins that flow naturally from music just because it’s music, or are we creating spaces that encourage those we lead to come simply before the Lord with a response of worship because He is worthy?
“…Longing just to bring something that’s of worth that will bless Your heart.”
When we approach worship, is it our desire to bless God’s heart? Do we ask God what He would like to hear when choosing songs? Do we keep our focus on Him alone because He is worthy, or do we end up worshipping the experience of worship because it makes *us* feel good? (For more on this, see: “Worshipping Worship”)
“I’ll bring you more than a song, for a song in itself is not what You have required. You search much deeper within through the way things appear. You’re looking into my heart.”
God doesn’t want our songs. He wants all of us. Romans 12:1 says, “Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.” (The Message)
Worship is not just 30 minutes on a Sunday, worship is how you live your life the other 6 days and 23.5 hours of the week. It’s how you treat your family, how you care for the poor, where you spend your time on the internet, how you react when someone cuts you off, the choices you make when no one is watching… Do we live our lives in ways that honor Him?
Some of us may need to find our way back to the heart of worship. Maybe we need to apologize to God for the thing we’ve made it. If it’s anything other than Him, about Him, for Him and to bless Him, then perhaps we may need to get on our faces before Him until it is.
