I had the opportunity to sit down with a young man recently who wants to get involved in playing music on the worship team. As I was driving to the meeting and thinking about what I would ask him, I was struck with the thought, "What is God looking for in a musician?". I know that sounds like something I should be asking myself all the time. But it just struck me in a new way.
When a Samaritan woman was talking to Jesus about the current worship "hot" topics of her culture, Jesus made a comment that revealed the heart of God for her and for everyone like her who would listen:
"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him." (John 4:23)
Did you catch that last little part? I have read this many times and always get stuck on what "spirit and truth" means that I neglected something just as important: The Father is seeking worshipers.
The first thing that I think God is looking for in a musician is a worshiper. Someone who gives all of themselves to God with reckless abandon. He is looking for someone who will worship Him whether they are on the stage playing music or in the pews or in their occupation. He is looking for believers who are worshiping when they walk through the doors of the church and who walk out the doors worshiping.
I wonder if we have the same priorities that God does. Are our lead worshipers worshipers or song leaders? Are our musicians musicians or worshipers who are currently using their instrument to give expression to the worship in their hearts?
What would our worship times look like if our musicians were skilled enough that they weren't trying to focus on just getting through a song but rather on making melody in their hearts to God? What would happen if our lead worshipers were more defined by adoration than observation?
The Father is seeking those who worship him in spirit and in truth. When he looks into our churches on Sunday mornings and sees the worship band playing, is He finding them? When he looks in the pews and sees the musicians who have a "week off" is he seeing worshipers or observers?
"As we come into your presence
and stand in awe of you
you radiate the pure light
of never-changing truth
you shine as we praise you
exposing all we are
as we draw near in Jesus
search our hearts
Give us the grace to see
what you see as we sing..." (from "All We Are" by DHB)
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