A Sacred Privilege (Pt. I)

This is the first in a series of numerous posts that was originally written as a single post a few years ago. Over time I’ve been editing and adding content to give more substance to these important topics. I welcome open dialogue, so please feel free to leave your feedback in the comments section under each post.

There is seldom a place I would rather be than gathered together with other Christian brothers and sisters singing our hearts out to Jesus. A uniquely intimate exchange between the Creator and the created occurs when we set our eyes upon him together. In these times exists a blending of melodies and harmonies thick with praise & worship for all that he has done for us. There have been many occasions that my mind has tried to imagine what we might see & experience when we step from this life into eternity in heaven. Scripture provides us some extraordinary descriptions that I don’t think we will be able to fully comprehend this side of eternity. With these descriptions we’re left to use our finite minds and artistic mediums (painting, music, video, etc) to bring us limited glimpses into the limitless and infinite heavenly realm. Phil Wickham’s song “You’re Beautiful” is a good example of taking what scripture has already revealed to us and framing it in lyric form – helping us see a vivd picture (at least in my mind) of our waiting eternity.

In the chorus, Phil says:

“When we arrive at eternity’s shore, where death is just a memory and fears are no more. We’ll enter in as the wedding bells ring, Your Bride will come together and we’ll sing, “You’re Beautiful!” – Phil Wickham

If our times together can be so sweet during this life, what a tremendous day it will be when we, with inconceivable numbers, will see & worship Jesus face to face in all of his resplendent glory! Before you read any further, take a moment to shut your eyes and let that sink into your core. No, really. Stop reading and let that reality soak for a bit. One day very soon you are going to see Jesus Christ! That should completely blow your mind!

So the question we have to ask ourselves then is this:

ARE WE READY FOR THAT DAY?

If you can’t answer that question with a concrete “YES!”, something is wrong. So before we take another step, commit your life to Jesus Christ right this moment and ask him to do a great work in your heart and mind by the power of his Holy Spirit – revealing every wicked way in you that needs to be rooted out (Psalm 139:23-24). As worship leaders, it must be understood that we cannot tread these next steps without first knowing who we serve and to whom we belong. This is our staring point. We need Jesus.

The primary purpose behind these series of posts I’ve been writing is to communicate my heart to those who are actively participating in or are desiring to participate in music ministry, with an emphasis on worship leaders, songwriters and musicians. I want to share some of what I have learned over my own 25+ years in music ministry. Though I readily admit that I fall far short of being an expert on these subjects (there are many people much more qualified than I), I do know where God has brought me from and where he has me now. My hope for you and for myself is that we would long to know Jesus, serve Jesus and see Jesus better than we ever have before.