I got to visit Washington, D.C. recently. As I always do when I'm in our nation's capital, I tried to carve out a couple of hours to run to the Smithsonian Institute. I could only manage 90 minutes this time, but I went for it. I zoomed through the National Gallery of Art where, once again, I saw only a few dozen of the thousands of original works there; works that are immediately recognized; works that we've all seen over and over in photographs or in prints. I immediately headed for the rooms housing Monet and Rothko because sometimes I just have to see the real thing.
And this applies to us directly when it comes to our role in corporate worship. Thank God that, although we still rehearse with our choirs and worship teams to eliminate “glitches” that would distract from the message, most of us have moved way beyond being performance oriented ensembles to truly worship leading groups. In doing so, many of us have learned that by deeply giving of ourselves in worship, our leading is authentic and therefore contagious. “Praise becomes the upright,” according to Psalm 33:1. In other words, praise looks good on you! And if you take a look around, you'll notice that it's quite becoming on others, as well. As I said before, there's just nothing like the real thing.
If you're at all like me, then you spent some time during the Christmas and New Year's holidays thinking about the upcoming months. You probably did at least a little mental planning for congregation and the groups that lead them. In my case, I took into consideration the particular transitions that are going on among us, and the challenge right now is to keep focused on how we might best encourage each other, nurture spiritual growth within the Body, and keep our goals set on obtaining the real thing.
And, because I love stuff like this, I've been thinking about and planning for my yard and flower beds. I know, I know – it's really cold outside right now, but soon enough it'll be hot where I live. Like, really hot. And dry. It seems unlikely as I write this, but years of experience remind me that with the changing of seasons there comes a changing of our immediate surroundings. Sometimes the change is breath-taking. And did I mention, hot?
But here's one thing I've learned about the trees in my yard, and it made me think of how we handle the “changing seasons” in our personal lives and in the lives of those we're called to serve and lead. I've learned that my trees all have basically the same type of root system. I don't have any shallow-rooted trees or deep-rooted trees. They're just trees with roots, all looking for a source of air and water. And they'll get this air and water wherever they can. If the soil is loose and well-drained, the roots will grow deep and healthy. If the soil is hard and clay-like, the roots will likely be shallow and susceptible to heat, wind, draught and disease – whatever may come their way.
And the same is true with us, isn't it? We all search for spiritual nourishment somewhere. If we absorb every new pseudo-spiritual philosophy that comes along, then when the true tests of life assail us, we come up dry, withered, lifeless. But if we allow our soul's roots to go down deep, drinking fully from the eternal truths of scripture, then we thrive in the well-watered, endless fountain of God Himself. That's probably what the apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote:
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, my have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17 – 19 NIV)
Why, Jesus Himself alluded to this very principle when He said:
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5 NIV)
That's why it's absolutely vital that the songs we sing with our choirs and with our congregations be firmly grounded in scriptural truth, and totally applicable to the growth and nurturing of believers.
So, what should worship look like in this day and age, and especially as we begin to turn our thoughts and apply our spirits to the events surrounding Easter? How about worship in all its manifestations and forms so inviting and contagious that others just have to experience it for themselves? How about expression that's obvious and encouraging to everyone? An honest and uninhibited response?
In other words, the real thing.
--Click here for more helpful articles from writer/arranger/director Marty Parks on the topics of spiritual development and music ministry.
