As I think about worship I try to figure out what makes a "successful" Worship service. This week the Lord showed me these two things that I feel are crucial yet often missed out on.
"There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His." Hebrews 4:9-10
Rest. We all need rest from our busy lives. For me this normally means sitting at home for eight hours watching college football. But just as our physical bodies need rest so do our spiritual bodies. True Worship brings us a spiritual rest that we can't find anywhere else. It brings a peace that surpasses all understanding, a real comfort from our spiritual father. We should feel refreshed when we leave a true worship service. Not bitter, cold hearted or anxious to talk to someone about how bad it sounded.
As a worship leader its not all about having the rockin band behind you, the four piece harmony or the best sound equipment. Its all about the heart. Do I want to lead God's people into His presence and allow Him to give them the peace and rest they are looking for in this stressful life? Do you come to church looking for that rest or do you come looking for your style of music.
"I've been broken down. I aint giving up love will come back around. I've been holding on. All that is inside me, screams to come back home. If you feel lost, sing along. If you feel tired, sing along"- robbie seay band
Honesty. This song says what most worship songs don't. Life can wear on you. If we want that rest, that true worship we need to be honest with ourselves and with God. But most of the time we aren't. We are focused on what people think about us. We are scared to show emotion. Scared to show that we are broken down and that we feel lost. Worship is not always a pretty and happy time. It often can be a time of confession or just a spiritual battle. But if we aren't honest in our worship it makes it very difficult for the Lord to work.
