Leaders, Ministry Leadership, Podcasts / Devotionals, Worship Leading
Beyond the Worship
#3-28-16 #WorshipDevotional #BeyondWorship When we seek the right things by faith, we live by a new perspective that only Jesus brings. So how is our leading of worship and music both honoring to God, as Jesus uses us to draw people unto Himself – beyond sight?
“Faith is the daring of the soul to go farther than it can see.” – William Newton Clarke How does our worship and faith go beyond the music? If our art becomes the only thing we see, Jesus is no longer our focus. Thus, our eyes become blinded from the things God calls us to seek.
Christ came to bring light to a dark world; He also gave sight to the blind, which is our souls. In Luke 18.35-43, we read about the blind man by the roadside.
He was not only blind but poor; this is fitting for the analogy of those whom Christ came to save. Despite this man’s ability to not work, the eyes of Christ found favor on this individual.
He sat begging, as it was his daily occupation. This poor man could only hear and sense the commotion of the multitudes that followed Jesus. He asked what it meant. We can see that he made better use of his hearing than seeing; his blindness drove him to seek Jesus. As he asked the people around him, he was able to see through other’s eyes to visualize the Messiah.
The blind man could see that this Man came in full Power and full Light. Like the blind man, we too stumble to find our way. It is difficult. Sometimes we do not find what we seek due to our earthly limitations.
However, faith dares us to go beyond what we can see. [ctt template=”10″ link=”958Pf” via=”no” ]The worship of God calls us into a greater intimacy, are we stepping into the invitation?[/ctt]
In continuing in the Gospel story, the blind man called out to Jesus in a loud voice, “Have mercy on me.” (v38). Instead of begging for material things, this man is now begging to live, to be healed and to see. In the presence of the Savior, we too are captivated by the splendor of His glory.
Our cares fade and the mercy and grace of God is all we see. We too utter from our hearts: “Have mercy on me.” The man’s calling on Jesus was a fervent prayer of faith. Against all opposition and rebuke, this man cried louder.
In amazement, Jesus commanded the beggar to come to Him. Here is another thumbnail in how Christ invites and receives sinners. The Lord knows all our wants and needs, and He gives us what is best. Jesus asked the man anyway what he wanted. The man simply uttered that he wanted to see.
Not a complicated request. Jesus healed and the man received his sight. In response, this man and the people followed Jesus and praised God. If we as leaders, who were once blind, how are we living now that we can see? Are we living the kind of faithful lives that others would imitate? Take the leading of worship for example. Not polished, successful or finished, but broken, tattered and in need of mercy. Wouldn’t this be the kind of real’ness that would attract others, as in reflection to how people were attracted to Jesus?
Not saying that sin should lead worship, but men and women who are saved by grace exhibit the need for a Savior. This need of salvation and watching its completion by the work of Christ personifies what it means to have sight, restoration and to see again.
Now we see, not by eyes of a former past, but through the eyes of a New Covenant – through the eyes that have come to the Light and that same Light is the one who lives inside us. How are we leading people into the same light that goes beyond the music?
If He is the only thing we treasure, as we seek by faith, we find life everlasting. No music, no talent and no creative art can ever compare with His Eternal song. We possess a faith that is so courageous; once we were blind, but now we see clearly. We live with a new perspective, by the eyes of Jesus, being in His new light as He is the Light among men. [ctt template=”10″ link=”ViMCH” via=”no” ]People are led in worship, not by what we play/sing, but by the music God makes within our lives.[/ctt]
Reflection
“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see,” (2 Cor. 5.7). Worship is a response; not just in cooperate service, but in every fiber of our daily lives, as well as every fiber of our daily needs. Are you taking more time to listen, pray, walk and call out to God rather than searching for what you do not have? The healing of Christ cannot forbear people giving praise to God; neither should we remain silent, as His mercy fills us completely and overflows to call on Him in praise.
MENTORING
Are you called to serve? Do you know your next step? How do you get to the next level? We can help. Learn more, so you can lead others. Discover what WTT Mentoring can do for you today: wttu.co/mentoring Copyright 2017 Worship Team Training®
