The other day I was reading the book of Obadiah and these verses jumped out at me:
The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” declares the Lord. (Obadiah 1:3, 4)
After yesterday morning’s services at Redwood Park I was glad this verse was fresh in my mind. Musically, the team was tight and the mix was top notch. The team brought their A-game and the congregational engagement seemed very strong. We had lots of fun focusing stage lights this week and added lots of vibrant colour, and partnered with our hazer, the lighting look was stellar. Our Barrie Campus pastor Nathan Barnes was in town for the weekend to speak and he delivered a fantastic message on overcoming some of the limits we face in our lives; it really resonated with people, it was powerful. We went home today pretty pleased with the overall package.
Worship Arts ministry can be so dangerous for so many reasons… but i think mostly because of pride. As a worship leader, arts director, or service producer it’s so easy to have our egos puffed up after a strong Sunday morning. It’s our job, it’s our passion, and we want it to be excellent. But we can become so prideful, and like in Obadiah, our pride will deceive us and distract us from the bigger picture. It doesn’t matter how big and complex, or how small and simple you’re services are… when it goes good, you feel good, and when its obviously weaker you feel disappointed.
The verses from Obadiah serve as a powerful reminder of the danger of pride – it helps keep things in perspective. Our morning services are completely useless if God does not turn up and work in people’s hearts in a way no human effort, words, or creativity can do.
There’s nothing wrong with being excited with a strong Sunday morning experience. When the band is stellar celebrate that! When the message is hit out the park be excited! When the set looks great and transitions are smooth and tight be proud of your hard work! … God deserves nothing short of your best.
But it’s got to point people to God, first and foremost… It’s got to be about him. HIS Goodness, HIS Grace, HIS Power, HIS Kingdom…
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Invite God into the creative process beforehand.
Seek him throughout the preparation. Walk with him. Be in tune.
Ask for his anointing as you lead people & trust him as he works in the unseen.
Be thankful, by God’s grace you are a part of something much bigger than yourself!
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One last thing is, don’t fool yourself. You would be nothing, have nothing, and creative nothing if he didn’t gift you in the first place. Fight pride, strive for humility, and God will take your efforts and use them for far greater things than you ever could.
“God opposes the proud
but favours the humble.” – James 4:6