An Audience of One

Being a worship leader always carries with it the temptation to perform rather than to worship.

It is best to identify the sources of these temptations.

One, you have risen from the ranks of the worship team. I myself rose from doing the overhead projector, to the chorus line, to the lead vocals, to praise leader and then to worship leader. Pride was the downfall of Lucifer the worship leader in God's throneroom. Pride is the downfall of many worship leaders. Knowing fully well that it is the Lord who raised you up, brings down pride from its mighty throne. It is the Lord who promotes. Not by my might, not by my talents, not by anything but by the Spirit. It is by the Spirit that one can truthfully and genuinely worship. The congregation of the same Spirit discerns that.

Two, the brightness of the stage lights. Somehow I have always dreamt to be a singer, in the secular of course. I have sung every standard song in the music collection magazines and have always aspired to hit 100 and many times have done so in the videoke machine. I have done concerts with myself as the audience. Now, here you are, 500+ people in front of you waiting for the voice to lead them in singing. The fulfillment of a dream? Nope, only the audition to an eternal profession. We were made to worship, saved to forever enjoy God's presence. Every step into the stage is a rehearsal of what we are going to do in Heaven.

Three, the audience. There is a very thin line between performing and worshiping. To be sure we are on the right footing, remember, we were saved to worship not to perform. The talents we have, we have all surrendered to God and it is at His disposal. It is He who called and chose us for this ministry. Getting to centerstage is a fruit of our faithfulness to that calling. Faithfulness that is a blessing by the One who called. Look at the audience up front, but gaze upward and more often into your real audience, your audience of One who not just delights in your worship but smiles to bless your offering of praise and adoration.

Always remember, the audience of One.


Worship Song of the Day

The splendour of a King
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice!

- (How Great is our God - Chris Tomlin)