The Music Guy

Yesterday our church received wonderful teaching on worship.  I wasn't there to hear it live but I did just download and listen to it.  I was encouraged and I was convicted. Here's how I was convicted:

If you read Brooke's post last week about following,  you'll be able to track with me.  

Even though yesterday's speaker referred to himself as "the music guy", he is Trinity's worship leader, who has been called and gifted by God and recognized by our pastors as having Christian character and grace.  As such I am responsible to follow him.  Even though he was once my baby boy,  he is now my leader.  Even though I would never be caught dead wearing a tattoo (even with Christian symbols like he has - don't get me wrong I don't have anything against them - I just wouldn't want one), he is my leader.   And I need to ask myself, "how am I following my leader?"  I need to ask him, "how am I following?"

I plan to ask the music guy that question.  But I already know in my heart part of the answer.  I've known it for a while.  There have been times when the worship leader has encouraged a particular form of expression and I have not followed.  Bowing.  There have been times in worship when on my own I've been so overwhelmed by God's grace I've wanted to express my love to God in this way but for the fear of man I have not.   Why have I not responded physically to the impulse of my heart and mind?  Fear of man.  

I know in heaven there will be lots of joyous singing accompanied with loud instruments, dancing and clapping.  After all, we'll be singing the song of Moses to which Miriam danced with joy (Exodus 15:1-21; Revelation 15:3,4).  Our deliverance from the penalty of sin is greater than the deliverance Moses experienced at the Red Sea.  When I cross the river of death and enter the eternal promised land prepared for me through the death of Christ, I will be free from the enemy within my heart, and the great enemy Satan and his hosts.  And you can be sure of this:   I will be celebrating big time!!!!  

Part of that celebrating will be bowing down.  If I have a crown, I will cast it down before the Lamb.  I will not be like Isaiah who was undone because of his sinfulness in the presence of a Holy God.  I will be crying out with tears of thankfulness to the One who is Worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, for He was slain, and by His blood I was ransomed from out of all the people in the world and He has made me to be a priest to my God and I will reign with Him on the earth (Revelation 5:9,10).

So, why do I not bow now?  I am left without excuse.  From now on, if I am tempted to wonder what other people will think, I want to pray to God and ask that if other people notice, they will be encouraged to worship God all the more.  After that, it'll only be about HIM.

So, why don't you ask yourself (and maybe even the music guy) "how am I following"?