Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010...10:15 am
A Different Kind of Singing
“Worship Christ, the newborn King!”
I had spent the past decade or so—more than 25% of my life and about 50% of my Christian life—immersed in music ministry (or “worship team”). Worshipping God with voice and instrument had been my driving passion, not only on Sunday mornings with the congregation but all the time.
I sang worship at Wednesday night rehearsals. I played worship behind the piano or guitar at home. I woke up in the mornings with a choir song in my head. I went to Sovereign Grace Ministries to download free lead sheets like Steve and Vikki Cook’s “I Come by the Blood.” I learned LilyPond so I could print out the songs I wrote. I learned a new instrument, and then another, and another. In the car I played CDs or tuned in to the Christian radio stations at high volume. Worship music was my life.
So when I heard they were hosting a women’s conference on worship, of course I went! On the first morning of the conference I prayed, “Father, if I have any inaccurate understandings about worship, please correct them—and if incomplete, please fill them in.”
God answered, for as I sat in my seat almost in the back row, I heard these words:
“Bowing your will is the deepest act of worship.”
Bowing . . . worship. Surrender . . . worship. “Not my will but Yours, God” . . . worship.
Yes, my understanding of worship had been incomplete. Worship is not limited to speaking or singing God’s praises. To truly worship (the deepest form, according to Mrs. Dillow), I must bow my will to God’s.
Worship is not just singing. Worship is surrender.
When I sing in a church service, microphone or drum sticks in hand, it is worship. Hands are raised in praise, or they come together, clapping the rhythm.
But this, too, is worship, and even more so:
When I want something very, very much but know that it’s not what God wants for me, and I say, “Yes, Father, I surrender to Your will,” it is worship.
And this:
When I want to avoid something very, very much but know that it is what God wants for me, and I say, “Father, I surrender to Your will and step that scary path,” it is worship.
A few days after this worship conference I sat at the lunch table, having had a good meal—just enough. But I made pumpkin cream cheese. Cream cheese being among my top five favorite things to eat, and gluttony being among my five biggest sin problems, I was in a trouble spot. I considered loading another piece of toast with a layer of cream cheese thicker than the toast that carried it—but remembered the words: Bowing your will is the deepest act of worship.
As I picked up the cream cheese lid and snapped it over the tub, I said aloud, “Lord, with this act, I worship you.”
This morning, I look ahead to a path He wants me to walk, a path unknown and a bit frightening. But if I am to worship, I will joyfully turn my feet firmly onto that path and take strides of faith. Those steps are the notes and rhythms of the deepest worship song.
The image of worship in my mind used to be that of people singing in rich harmonies, hands upraised, speaking Hallelujahs. Now another image of worship comes first: a surrendered soul bowing down—not only the knee but the soul and will completely bowed down.
Father, I worship You.
...to Know-Love-Obey God
12 Comments
December 22nd, 2010 at 10:54 am
Sending love , Monica.
May your Christmas be overflowing with joy and peace.
December 22nd, 2010 at 12:16 pm
“Bowing your will is the deepest act of worship.”
- Linda Dillow
“Worship is not just singing. Worship is surrender.”
Your words cut deep in me. Truth is not always easy to swallow, but the gain is far greater. Thanks for sharing this.
December 22nd, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Thank you for this reminder. Often, I bow, surrendering my will, but I am not worshipping. All fit together into the heart of God and I want to fit with everything He desires of me.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
December 22nd, 2010 at 2:11 pm
that was lovely. i thank you for sharing these worship words. i want to worship like this too.
December 22nd, 2010 at 10:09 pm
“Worship is surrender.”
So true…and something I probably don’t do enough of.
December 22nd, 2010 at 11:14 pm
This is a powerful thought. And, yes, it could change so much (not the least being my second helping of Christmas dinner!).
Thanks for sharing this, Monica. and Merry Christmas, friend. I count you among my gifts this year
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December 23rd, 2010 at 2:28 am
monica, i found your blog through “walk with Him, wednesdays” and had to catch my breath as i read your words…
i am facing a path that i don’t want to walk on, but i know that He is tenderly saying, “you must”.
your words have given me the courage to move forward, to view this new direction as an act of deep worship.
thank you so very much.
in Him,
kimberley
December 23rd, 2010 at 11:30 am
I am so with you! I have walked a similar journey and could have written this myself, but not as beautifully put as you did…for we are all unique. And God created us all to worship (sing) in our own unique way. I am discovering that our lives, when submitted to Him, become worship. And when He orchestrates us all together, we are His masterpiece. Thank you for sharing! Many blessings as you continue your journey into Him.
December 23rd, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Your worship-filled heart radiates here. Thank you for a poignant piece on what it really means to worship. How I appreciate you!
Merry Christmas to you.
Love, Jennifer
December 23rd, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Well said, my friend, and as always, I take your words deep within me.
Much love!
December 23rd, 2010 at 8:09 pm
What a wonderful harvest of worship you’ve reaped at this conference, Monica”
“Worship is surrender”… how your singing must be transformed by this. And how ours will be too!
Thank you for pouring this beautiful thought out in our jam.
Merry Christmas, dear friend – and thank you for unwrapping Jesus so closely this season together – you’ve made it brighter and much more encouraging!
December 23rd, 2010 at 9:51 pm
I can make the simplest acts worship to Him. Awesome! I love how you snapped that lid
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