Strip It Down

On Monday morning we held a staff gathering in the office which began with a time of worship through song. These smaller gatherings with an acoustic early in the morning can often feel uncomfortable, so it wasn’t something I looked forward to. Aware of my bad attitude, I prayed from the moment I awoke that my heart would be softened and that God would forgive my petty arrogance.

From the first note sung it felt like warm light flooded the room. Hearing the voices of my brothers and sisters that I walk with daily, all of us singing the same beautiful truth, was a perfect way to start the meeting, the day, and the work week ahead of us.

The title of this post is “Strip It Down”, and this applies to more than instrumentation. We should simplify times of worship through song to the basic elements, which leaves more room in our mind and heart to hear from and focus on God. For example, on a Sunday there are numerous things running through my brain:

• The lyrics
• The notes I’m singing
• What I’m playing on guitar
• Numerous pedals at my feet
• The musicians on stage
• The congregation
• Finally, God

With these factors, it’s easy to slip into playing, leading, and singing with little focus on the actual words we’re singing. The act of serving in this manner is worship in itself, but the point of us gathering is to lift one heart and voice to the Lord. What made Monday so striking was that I was playing simple chords, familiar songs, and was able to focus on the words and those around me. It was refreshing, encouraging, and next Monday is already on my mind.

At the Acts 29 Boot Camp in Louisville, KY last fall, @PastorTimSmith led a session on worship, and shared his recent examination of areas in his life. He spoke about establishing heart before practice, private worship before leading publicly, being a singer before being a performer, being a worshiper before a leader, and worshiping with your family before worshiping with the congregation. This session was powerful, and these areas deserve examining. We too often jump to the big production without making sure the foundation is established in our hearts. Could this be what led the Pharisees to a place of legalism? If so, are we heading down the same path?

How have you complicated worship of God? Are your gatherings too busy or complicated to allow people to focus on the words and those around them? Strip it down. This is challenging, because there is also great value to a full band playing amazing music. How can we strip it down to the essentials? Thoughts?