When I started serving in worship teams, I did it, primarily, for one thing – to be cool. I wanted to be recognized, I wanted to be seen. I understood that what we were doing was important, but I never really considered much more than – was I being noticed. I would make sure I would be theatrical in my playing, swinging my arms as I strummed the chords on my electric guitar. I never thought about the words of the songs, the people we served or even if this is truly praising God. I just wanted to be seen. I was a green, teenage boy. Thankfully, Jesus had a better plan for me.
Around the time that I was sixteen, my whole world shook. God uprooted me from everything that was familiar, and I was completely out of my comfort zone. My family had relocated from the big city of Johannesburg to a small town in Mpumalanga called Middelburg. I hated that move. I was frustrated. Turned out to be one of the best things that could happen in my life.
Being uncomfortable forced me to cling to the only safe place I knew. I spent more deliberate time with Jesus and through a journey He showed me the sweetness of knowing Him. The love that only comes from him, the restoration that only He can bring, the freedom that only He can give. During that time, I met some significant people in my worship journey. Through my growing relationship with Jesus and the people He placed in my life – I began to learn that worship was not my stage. Worship was my life. Worship was for His glory and leading people in worship was about loving Him and loving His bride. The more I experienced His love personally, the more I wanted others to experience His love (Because it is THAT GOOD). That desire drove me to be more and more passionate about music and worship.
1 Corinthians 13 is a famous verse that speaks about what love is and what it looks like not to have love when serving others. My attitude towards serving had to change. I never wanted to serve the bride of Christ without love in my heart because if I was – then I was just making noise and serving myself.
Serving the church in love means this:
Preparations – This meant that I need to sit at Jesus’ feet before I even think about leading people to Him. I need to listen to His heart. To be saturated by Him. My serving should be an overflow of Him in my life not my own efforts. This was ALSO practical. It meant I had to practice my craft. Loving people meant becoming a better musician. The better prepared I am, the less chance there is for me to be a distraction to people wanting to experience Jesus.
Dedication –Loving the church means that no matter what comes my way – my commitment to Jesus and my commitment to serve takes priority. Jesus takes center place.
Grace – This is one of the most important things for me. Jesus showed the ultimate act of Grace when He gave his life for us on the cross. I need to show grace to others. It means patience with the very people I am serving. It means that no matter how long it takes – I am going to trust that the church would experience God’s love in a worship set. I understand that life happens and people might be distracted. Sometimes it takes time.
Intercession – Loving people means to stand in the gap for them in prayer when they are struggling to do it themselves. I often ask God to show me people in the church who are struggling to connect with Him. I pray for them while we sing and trust that God will meet those people exactly where they are.
Dying to self – Serving the church in love is not about me. It is about Jesus and His glory! My desire to be seen must die and my desire to see Christ lifted up must rise. This is probably one of the most freeing things to grasp. It means that I can’t make anything happen – I can’t make people encounter God’s love – only He can.
The things I’ve shared here are not worship ministry specific as it might appear. We are called to love! How can you love God and the people God has placed in your life better?
Much love,
Hayden Hayl’
A Worship Diary 