A recent post on Facebook made me think... Which should be more highly prized in a worship leader: his internal "worship level", or his external "skill level"? The answer seems obvious. The clear "church answer" is one's worship level. This always is to take precedence over mere natural skill.
But do our actions follow these cliche church answers? It does not appear so. Concerning worship, why is one's skill level clearly magnified and exalted above one's heart attitude? Why does skill quite obviously trump passion?
If we truly wanted worshippers on the platform, then we would fire those who possess mere skill alone. Actions speak so much louder than words.
Why can't we seem to enter into worship if we don't like the song, or the music style? Could it be because we are worshipping worship? Is there "a song" on the throne of your heart, or is Jesus?
Thank God, once again, Scripture puts things in their proper perspective. In the following Psalm about worship, notice the many internal qualities that are mentioned. Also, notice the absence of external qualities:
"A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations" (Ps 100).
Notice the title here: "A Psalm of praise". In other words, this Psalm is one displaying the appropriate praise and worship that is to fill (and overflow) the local church.
What do we notice about this Psalm? What can we discern about this pattern of true worship?
1. It's a "noise" (vs. 1)! The Hebrew word used here means, "to mar; to split the ears; to cry; to shout." Contrary to popular opinion, it does not necessarily possess a skillful connotation. The only qualifying factor is that it be "joyful". Would God plug up the overflow of a worshipping heart simply because it wasn't "excellent" by the world's standards?
2. It's to be "with gladness" and "with singing" (v. 2)! Reader, these are internal properties. Our singing is to flow from our gladness, not necessarily from our years of training at Julliard. Can we have both? Absolutely! But one's gladness of heart is to always take preeminence over one's natural ability.
3. True worship is worship "before His presence" (vs. 2)! Even the talent of Mozart or Bach could not usher us into God's glory without a proper heart attitude. The river flowing from our bellies is a direct result of our loving attachment to Jesus, not of our natural skills and abilities (Jn 7:38). Though such talents and natural abilities may in fact be occasionally beneficial, they too can often prove a hindrance: "He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man" (Ps 147:10).
4. It's "with thanksgiving" (vs. 4) and gratitude! We are eternally grateful that we are His sheep, and He is our Shepherd; We are His people, and He is our Lord (vs. 4); He has made us forever accepted in the Beloved (Eph 1:6). It is with such gratitude that we enter into His merciful courts (vs. 5)! Again, these standards for real worship are inward responses, not only external abilities.
5. Notice that there are no actual external requirements presented here! Surprised? Why should we be? God didn't choose David because of the strength of his external countenance, but because of the response found in his heart. It's no different with us: "But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart" (1 Sam 16:7).
But shouldn't we be "excellent" in our musical craft? Wasn't David? I do agree that we should devote ourselves to the calling God has placed upon us. However, our own abilities are always to take the backseat to God's desires. We should devote our years to the knowledge of God, not solely to the expertise of a musical craft. Any talent we may possess should never come at the expense of our spiritual lives. If we ever find ourselves striving to sound good in order to please mere men or fit in with the crowd, let's repent. Let's never worship worship. Worship is but a vehicle, ushering us to Zion. Worship is a means to an end, not the end itself. And if we really believed this, it wouldn't matter so much what the worship sounded like, as long as it was pleasing to Him who has ordained it!
In a day and age when worship leaders are idolized as rock stars, we need to genuinely ask ourselves: "why do I like this man/woman so much? Why am I drawn to him/her?" Let it never be because of the skillful strum of one's guitar, or because of the pleasant melodies protruding from their lips. Rather, may it be because their passion for Jesus is absolutely contagious! May it be said, "the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus" (Jn 1:37).
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