Pre-Worship

So it's 1am right now and I feel the need to post today (yes, i know we're past a week, hence why i call it an "almost weekly blog"). I'm sitting here thinking about worship (i know, strange concept at 1am)

Isn't it remarkable how easy it is to worship God when you're in the Word, praying, and in general just getting things right? I love those times of worship. It's like anything and everything you see and hear is calling out to God creating beautiful harmonies of praise to the one and only Creator. I read an article about David Crowder Band and some of their music is based off of sounds they hear (for instance, "O Praise Him" is based off of the hum of jet engines during travel to one of their concerts). It's so great to know that God cares about all the intricacies of life.

The opposite, however, is the pits. It can be one of the most frustrating things to try and worship when you're life isn't right. You know what I'm talking about... those days where you got angry and blew up at your spouse, the day you caught yourself eyeballing that cute girl at Chocolate World (wait... that was me), or just the day where you went to bed knowing you should be reading the Bible and praying, but decided you'd rather sleep (knowing God will forgive). There are plenty of other things, of course, but I'll let you think those through.

It's those days where it's hardest to worship. Rather than walking outside and hearing the birds sing a song to God, you're ticked that you have to scrape off your windshield.

The problem is that sometimes those days are Sundays. Since we're all worship leaders we have an added responsibility to come prepared to lead in worship... and how do we do that? well, we worship and thank God for all He is and all He has done. But we can't do that when we're wondering if the pot roast is burning or if we're still mad at our husband for not helping get all the kids ready. We need to be prepared to worship before we take the platform on Sunday morning. I'm going to call this pre-worship.

Ok let's stop, take a break and I'll tell you what's prompting this topic. I struggle with this concept of pre-worship (a lot). I drove home tonight thinking about some things that happened today and frankly asking God to forgive me for not sticking to my guns in some things today. For not taking opportunities to serve. For being lazy. I really hate disappointing God (although it seems to be a gift i have). I hate doing something i know is wrong and having that horrible guilty feeling right after, knowing i'll need to ask for forgiveness, but knowing i'm not worthy of it.

Last week at this same time I was sleeping. I had done most things right last sat. I was ready to worship God the next day and excited to do so. This week I'm having trouble getting my mind off the guilt I have and the disapointment i feel God must have (praise the Lord He's forgiving). I'm thinking about how I'll be waking up in 5 hours and how I can't wait for an afternoon nap. I'm thinking i need to post a blog, get the powerpoint done and transferred, tune my guitar (broke a string on wed.), get things ready, do this do that... you notice how God wasn't anywhere in there? Like i said last week, our motivation determines everything. My motivation is way off this week. I need to get centered on God. The rest of all that junk will take care of itself. If i'm going to lead God needs to be important not all the things i need to do before and after i supposedly worship.

So here's the challenge: take time each Sunday morning (figure out how this will work into your schedule) to quiet yourself and talk to God. Do it for more than 10 minutes, try 20 or 30 this time. Ask Him to help you lead this morning (or if you're not leading, ask him to reveal himself to you). Ask Him to help you see worship in your surroundings. Ask Him to show you ways in which you can give back to Him. I hope everyone in church would do this, but my charge is to you.

May we grow together.