Worship and Relationship

Today I was thinking about the reality of what we as a team of worship leaders do in the body of Christ, and it struck me like it never has before. We help to build relationship - first with God and then with each other. As we come before the Father each and every time, it's to express our love using our music and other artistic giftings, and to call others to do the same. This is an incredible opportunity to be an example of what Jesus said were the two great commandments in Matthew 22: to love the Lord with all of your heart, soul and strength and then to love your neighbor as yourself. As we come to the Father in corporate worship to pour out our love for Him with authenticity and accuracy, we bring a display of worship that He loves to inhabit (Psalm 22:3). At the same time, we simultaneously are calling our brothers and sisters to do the same. Through this act, we show our love for our 'neighbors' by not leaving them out as we express a sincere desire for them to attain one of God's heart cries for us: unbroken fellowship with Him through Jesus Christ. What we are saying as we lead others in worship, is 'you are important enough to God and us, that we want you to join us in fulfilling one of the great purposes of our lives: glorifying the God of all creation.'

So the next time you step up to lead worship, whether you sing, play or dance, bear in mind that you should be declaring your undying love and commitment to our Father, as well as your love and concern for your fellow brothers and sisters. Let's passionately keep worship and relationship intimately tied as we express our love for the Father and call others to do the same.