As I type this it is in between the Tuesday and Wednesday airings of American Idol. Admittedly, I watched last night and my DVR will ensure I can watch tonight's too. But I am struck every season of this show that I actually watch by how OBSESSED our culture has become with stardom. The intensity of the desire to be in the spotlight by the 100,000+ that audition somehow always surprises me. Along with so many of them that are SO misguided about what their 'true calling' in life is (cause it aint singing) and the wild breakdowns and flat our denial that comes with being told the truth. I think its fair to say that North america loves the stage and idolizes those that stand on it like no other time in history.
I worry sometimes as I travel and get a feel for what's going on in the church at large that this "spotlight idolatry" has infected us a bit. Far too often I discover young people (and old) who seem to use "worship leading" as an outlet for their closet desire to be rockstars. I say "seem to use" because only God knows the intentions of our hearts. But sometimes "Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks" and certainly our actions, too, reveal our hearts. Now, I do not intend to let this blog become a place to 'rant' and complain that the world it going to hell in a hand-basket. So I won't dwell here. I want to speak life instead.
As Christians we need to remember that Christ's ways are more often than not counter-culture. God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours. They are often opposite! Jesus said in Luke 22:26 "Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant." Servanthood is not intended here to be a ploy or method to get to the top either. (How often are we guilty of using Biblical methods for selfish gain!?) But a mark of true humility. We should not seek to be admired like rockstars. Instead, we are on stage to serve those we lead by truly leading them to the King. And to do so with fear and trembling at such a weighty calling!
All I am suggesting here is that as worship leaders we have to CONSTANTLY re-evaluate our own hearts to make sure we aren't USING worship of The King of Kings for personal self-gratification in any form. The anointing is on US but it is FOR HIM and Him alone.
There's a little joke that says "How many worship leaders does it take to change a light bulb?" "One. They stand there and hold the bulb and the world revolves around them" God do not let me be like that. Do not let any of us be like that. Help us remind ourselves everyday who this is about and who it's NOT about. Lest YOU have to show us more forcefully.
Great blog Dan. And I loved what you wrote...TOTALLY AGREE...you hit it spot on!
ReplyDeleteMotive is always a tight rope walk. The power of the mind to justify our actions is so deceiving. To see more fans of your music can be for God's purposes or yours. To want to see the church grow can be about souls or size. It's a battle every where you go. As you said so well Dan, staying humble and obedient, Staying in relationship with Him is the only way of staying in His will. In the reverse though, I wonder how many great worship leaders have said no in false humility to a greater calling to lead large congregations in worship and instead have hidden away in small churches or worse stayed off the platform all together. Our ability to discern and answer the call of God is a huge challenge. What has God called you to Dan and how have you answered him?
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