Simple Worshiper

I’m designed to improve things. It’s how I’m built, how I see things, how I listen, watch, and think. So at times, worshiping [when I’m not leading] is a real challenge. I remember saying, “I want to be one of those simple worshippers who can just go for it no matter how uncool the music is or how terrible the sound is.” I remember seeing people beside me consumed by expressing love to Jesus when I was much more aware of the music’s dynamics and technicalities.

I needed the ability to “turn it off.”

By design [and by training], I pick up on things to improve, but I won’t let it can’t control me when I’m choosing to worship God. I won’t allow it to derail me. Our worship is a response to the revelation of God, and I must be pure in heart to see Him. It’s a choice. The more I practice it, the easier it becomes. I’m certainly not always there yet. I would love to see a world full of worshippers who will worship for...apparently, no reason. ;0

When I was first learning to lead from a worshiping heart, I remember Kent Henry saying, “What we always need more of is simple devotion to Jesus.” That really stuck. In fact, it’s one of Ad Lib Music’s core values: Inspiring simple love and pure devotion to Jesus. So as much as I want us to serve well, to be excellent at what is good, to make better music than we’ve ever heard on the radio, to hone our craft, to do our personal best... I want us SO MUCH MORE to be simple worshipers, regularly lost in expressions of love and adoration to our Savior.

One of my favorite books is by worship leader David Crowder. It’s called Praise Habit. The analogy is that we put on praise like a nun puts on her habit. There is something defining about it, something set apart, something purposeful. Here’s a tiny seed to sow into your simple worshipper’s heart from that book:

Where were the God moments? Where was Living Praise?
Did praise happen? Could praise happen?
What if it did? Were opportunities missed?
Was praise just beneath the surface? Could it be a flood? Maybe it’s just dammed?
Maybe if the dam burst, we would drown in it.
Do we dare pick up a sledgehammer and start swinging?
It could be difficult. It could wear at you. This could be hard labor.
I don’t know if I have the back for it.
And I think I like my water in smaller doses.
I like the sound of the drip.
But there is cracking in my lips, and they bleed when I smile.
My hands are dry to the touch. So dry I can’t feel them anymore.
[]
Pick it up? Is it needed? It is what is necessary?
[]
I want to drown. I want a different air than I’ve been breathing. I will swing.
I will swing with all my might. I will swing until there is the sound of breaking.
I will swing.
Over and Over and Over and Over and Over and Over and Over and Over and Over and Over...

[from PRAISE HABIT by David Crowder, pg. 19]

-Dave Helmuth
(purchase my book, "Worship Fertilizer: (the first hundred)" HERE)

Simple Worshiper (Nº 3)