Transparency

Definition:
Something transparent, esp. a picture, design, or the like on glass or some translucent substance, made visible by light shining through from behind.*

Ps 118:27 27 The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us.

Please forgive me for not writing these last couple of weeks. I have been thinking a lot and writing very little. One thing I have been thinking about is the concept of being transparent before Christ in worship.

In context of the corporate worship service, what makes it powerful? Is it an anointed leader/musician? Is it a phenomenal voice? Is it completely intangible? Is it the prayer life of the team? What makes corporate worship powerful? And what could make it more powerful?

My thought is this: when God’s people experience His light, fall to their knees in humility and in recognition of their own impurity, allow God to remove all the things that hinder His light and are honest with themselves before Christ, then we will see an incredible move of His Spirit. It is our ability to be transparent before Christ that makes worship truly powerful. Christ’s light shines upon us, illuminating the true status of our hearts. If we will respond in honesty and humility, Christ can then shine THROUGH us.

Worship is not powerful because of the worship leader’s anointing or because of our great skill. Worship is powerful because of the involvement and exaltation of Christ. You may be the best singer on the planet, but if your heart is so black Christ cannot shine through you, you are riding the emotions of the music verses following the movement of the Holy Spirit. Likewise, you may not be the best at anything, but with a pure heart and a clean conscience God can shine and be glorified.

*"transparency." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 23 Feb. 2009.
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Forgiveness and Worship

I find myself wondering inside of my mind this morning. I’m not exactly sure what to write or how to write it. All I know is that I am fascinated by God’s grace and mercy. Last night during our youth service, two students got saved. I was so excited because these two kids were bad. I mean bad. And yet, God, with gentleness and precision, performed spiritual surgery on their hearts.

Being a first hand witness to salvation always motivates me to worship. It is a reminder of the constant love of God that is never shy to offer forgiveness. As a pastor, I get incredibly hard on myself when I sin. And yet it is vital for me to realize that leadership does not equal perfection and Christ died for my sin just like everyone else.

Forgiveness motivates me to worship because God is the only one who, when He forgives you, effects your eternal destiny. What a great reason to worship!

How has the forgiveness of God affected your worship?