Humbling, Worship Mistakes, Cherish it, Unnoticed, Walk Right Over That, and Share it!
From Pastor Cristy
A couple of months ago, our worship leader wrote the following in an email to our band. I asked his permission to share it with you. I titled this with the keywords that I wanted you to pick up on as you read it:
Good evening everyone! I'm excited for next Sunday; I've got a feeling the Lord wants to begin to prepare us mentally to expect the spiritual. It is very humbling to be taught a whole new way of thinking!
I know some of us were super conscious of some technical mistakes we made on Sunday, but we weren't making worship mistakes, and that is by far more important! I would also like to remind us to accept the grace He has for us for ourselves in that area (on top of a new song guys!) Nonetheless, I encourage you guys to check out last week's YouTube because we got our video back! The best way to repay His grace is to cherish it.
I also want to thank you guys for all the hard work you put in. It is not unnoticed by me, and I also know that it is not unnoticed by God or His people, whether you've heard it lately or not. I pray in the name of Jesus that when discouragement comes your way, you will know how to walk right over that wave because of what God has shown you, and that you will have the resolve to do so. And when encouragement comes your way, you will know how to share it, like the heart of Jesus. Love you all!
"It is very humbling to be taught a whole new way of thinking!"
I don't want to miss out on what God wants to show me because I am not humble enough to accept a new way of thinking, since I THINK I already KNOW! Oh God, may we all bow low to acknowledge that Your ways are higher than ours.
"...but we weren't making worship mistakes, and that is by far more important!"
I loved this! Technically speaking for music, yes, we hit the wrong notes, mess up the timing, and sing off-key sometimes. But through all of it, God is seeing the heart, and He is fixated on the worship we offer being authentic and right by how we live, not how we play/sing songs - PRAISE GOD! The last thing I want to do is make a worship mistake. Father, show us how to worship in spirit and truth by the way we live.
"The best way to repay His grace is to cherish it."
WOW! To thank God for His grace by cherishing it - what a blessing it is to me when people cherish something I give them. Whether it's my time, my words, my money, my things, my people. When you cherish what I give, I am blessed, honored, and filled with more love for you. I believe God is speaking through this to many of us...cherish His grace!
"It is not unnoticed to me, and I also know that it is not unnoticed by God or His people, whether you've heard it lately or not."
I know I can often feel like I go unnoticed. I am certain this is a common feeling for most of us. To really think about the fact that God does notice and even further - cares, hears, sees and feels - makes me teary! My God notices me! To be known and cared for the way He does, is priceless. I cannot feel alone when I think like this! Additionally, people are watching. Not everyone says something when they notice, but people notice. This is a humbling thought so that my actions always reflect my beliefs, faith, and words. Oh Lord Jesus, help me - I fail so often.
"I pray in the name of Jesus that when discouragement comes your way, you will know how to walk right over that wave because of what God has shown you, and that you will have the resolve to do so."
Forgive me for being graphic, but this reminded me of my morning walks. Every so often, someone doesn't pick up their dog's mess and it sits on the sidewalk I walk on for exercise. That blob is a mess! It's filthy, stinky, and unwanted! You can be sure I will WALK RIGHT OVER THAT, being certain none of it gets on me. I believe discouragement offers the same mess, and I am fully persuaded that I don't want to touch it! God, help us to see the repulsiveness of discouragement and resolve not to even touch it.
"And when encouragement comes your way, you will know how to share it, like the heart of Jesus."
On the other hand, encouragement is like finding treasure! When you find something with a lot of value, you share it. Whether you found money somewhere or a good deal, it is hard to keep in the excitement of a good find! Finding good in others should be shared. I want to work more on this one for sure because Chandler is right, Jesus has a heart of encouragement! He finds the good in people and situations. Lord, help us to see You in other people and not just notice it, but mention it!
Love you Church!
