Are You Ready To Worship?

by Marilyn Bills, Director of Worship Arts

One of the things I appreciate about our worship artists is the heart they bring to leading worship each week. They understand that worship is about what they bring to Him and not primarily what they get. Regularly I speak to the artists about being prepared to lead and be co-worshippers. Being prepared for worship isn’t just for the folks on the platform or in the tech booth—all of us have the responsibility to come to worship prepared to offer God our best. Below is the prep check for HOPE artists. See how you’re doing this morning.
Prayed up and on time: Mornings can be very hectic. If your Sunday morning routine is routinely chaotic, maybe the issue is that more time is needed. Try setting the alarm clock 30 minutes earlier and spend a few minutes being still before God before you wake up the rest of the house. Over breakfast remember to thank God for giving you another day. Remind yourself, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Physical fitness: I Corinthians 6:19-20 “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” God’s temple needs exercise, nutrition, and plenty of sleep. To fully engage in worship we need to be physically fit and alert. How have you been caring for God’s temple? Be responsible stewards of your physical health.
Conflict/Community: As far as it depends on me, am I at peace with others? Matthew 5:23-24 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”
Attitude: What is your “external temperature” this morning? Did you show up with enthusiasm OR do you have the “Leave me alone” look; Exasperated what?! (Excuse me!!) look; The angry glare (don’t get in my way) look. Check your attitude and nonverbals. If your attitude is out of sorts, maybe one of the other areas of preparation needs to be addressed.
Ability to “play hurt”: Sometimes we just have to turn over our physical or emotional weakness and worship God in spite of how we are “feeling”.
Be open to the unexpected: When we come to worship with a rigid expectation of how things “should be” we can miss out on the spontaneity of the Holy Spirit.
Serve with humility: Do I truly believe it is not all about me? There is more than one way to do just about everything. If worship is being presented in a way that isn’t common for you, do you get upset and frustrated? Experiencing different styles of music and worship can open us up to new and fresh ways of experiencing God. Even if it’s not working for you, allow for the possibility that someone else may be reached and—most importantly—God is being worshipped.
So are you prepared to worship? We come together as a community each week to give to God our praise and worship. The amazing thing is that when we come to worship with the right heart, God fills us with more than we could have every imagined.