Don't Let the Enemy Steal Your Joy!

"...being CONFIDENT of this, that HE who began a GOOD WORK in you WILL carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6 (NIV)
I wanted to share some thoughts the Lord placed on my heart today both through His word and recent concerns spoken by a fellow brother in Christ.

Last night I was reading Philippians 1. Paul was sharing words of encouragement and thanks to the church for the concern they showed him during his imprisonment and he expresses delight in the work they are doing to share Christ with the lost. Paul feels both encouraged by the example of his imprisonment and the motivation the people demonstrate in their defense of the gospel. At the same time, he is disheartened, for he is aware there are others who take advantage of Paul being out of the picture and through "selfish ambition" attempt to discourage Paul during his imprisonment. Despite their misdirected motives, they can not discourage Paul and he "will continue to rejoice" (Phil 1:19). I love Paul's words of encouragement here: "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel, without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you." What awesome advice Paul! We need to band together standing IN ONE SPIRIT as believers (CONTENDING AS ONE MAN), with one purpose (SHARING THE GOSPEL), even when we and the Gospel we defend are under attack.

How does Paul's advice apply to us as a worship team? We can truly experience Paul's joy when we can say with him, "For to me, to live is Christ…" (vs. 21). If we say that to live well revolves around money, music, family, possessions, power, health, even ministry, anything other than Christ, we are depending on circumstances to provide our joy. Joy will never come from these. there are essentially four things that steal our joy and they are circumstances, people, things and worry. Remember, we are not in God's service to appeal to your friends or for the people who will come to hear your music. You are using your instruments and voices to play for an audience of one and to share the Gospel. Unfortunately, we let our surrounding circumstances drive a performer attitude. It is not biblical to seek the approval of the world or others. Paul showed us even in suffering and imprisonment, he could share Christ and support his fellow brothers and sisters. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that we are all called to serve and not to be served. I know of a worship leader who when she was starting out was very eager to be involved in leading lots of worship events. However her main role at the church was initially to clean up after services and to organize and copy music. At first she resented doing this, but found that it was in this place that she met with God in a deep way and learned the importance of the heart of worship. That person is me. As worship leaders we’re called first to serve God, and then to serve the people we’re leading in worship. If we know what it means to serve then humility will naturally follow and selfish ambition will stay at bay.
It’s so important that we allow God to use us the way he intended to, rather than something that’s not true to us. Unfortunately I will never have the guitar skills of Eric Clapton or the voice of Celine Dion, but that doesn’t matter as God chooses to use me the way I am. I pray that you will also be patient with God, as we are all a work in progress.
Sadly today, we are painfully aware that no one is perfect. Again and again we have seen celebrities and church leaders fall from grace. Nothing seems to really shock us anymore. This is why I believe it is so important to constantly be checking the attitudes of our hearts. When we get to Heaven, God will care little about how many albums someone sold, how many flawless performances we gave, how many great harmonies we sang, how many inspired electric guitar solos we belted out, etc. But He will care a lot about the attitudes of our hearts.
Respect eachother, support eachother and learn to appreciate each of the gifts God gives you to further His kingdom. Don't let your JOY be stolen from you.
Blessings,
Kathy