When our dear friend, Carey Helmink led us in music this week she opened our worship time with these thoughts …
One of the most beautiful things that God commands his people to be involved in is corporate worship. You would likely not be surprised to hear me say that given my role here at church in our Worship Arts Ministry. And while music is certainly a part of that – you can’t really read the Psalms and make a case for taking music out of the equation – for me, personally, it is not the primary thing.
You see, I am extremely forgetful.
I need to be reminded of who God is – who He ALWAYS is – even if my circumstances paint a different picture.
I need to be reminded that He is not just an almighty, majestic, creator-God but also my Father.
I need to be reminded that He sent His Son, Jesus to pay the price for my sin.
I need to be reminded that the very Spirit of the living God lives in me.
I need to be reminded of the WONDER of all of it.
I need to be reminded that I am not alone. That we walk this road together, you and I, the body of Christ. And that something unique happens when we lift our hearts and voices to God together.
It’s not just that I’m forgetful, but I am often distracted. My mind and heart can be so saturated with useless things, leaving little room for the abundance that Christ has promised me.
I am at a time in my life when I actually have some discretionary time. You moms with kids at home probably want to throw something at me about now but I promise you, at some point, you will have a little more time at your disposal.
I really do love Jesus but I do not choose him as often as I wish I did. I can waste my time and money on things that don’t matter. These times of corporate worship help me, encourage me, remind me to stay on the right path. Our thoughts and hearts are bombarded with terrible news stories, political chaos, personal struggles, temptations of every kind – we need each other, to remind each other of what is true and where our hope lies.
My prayer for you and me comes from Ephesians 1:18-23 …
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called – his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else – not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
Equip Her 