Angie Lendon - The Integrity of Worship
I want to share with you something that I believe God has been speaking to me about. The integrity of Worship.
The Oxford dictionary describes integrity as 'Firm adherence to a code of values. '
The bible tells us we are in the world but not of the world.
I'm not suggesting that we live a life of seclusion from worldly things. Indeed Jesus was a man who got alongside people of all walks of life and we are encouraged to do the same.
We are however called to be a part of something extremely precious and wonderful. We are called to serve in worship.
In 1 Chronicles 25 v 1 we read that David together with the commanders of the army "set apart" some of the sons of Asaph.
The Hebrew root word for this is naw-zar' a primitive root word which means;to abstain (from food and drink, from impurity), specifically, to set apart (to sacred purposes), i.e. devote:--consecrate, separate(-ing, self).
You can see from this interpretation that these guys were very special.
This doesn't mean however they were to look down with distaste on those who weren't chosen.
The name Asaph means :Somebody who gathers the people together and removes their condemnation.
We are to be Asaphs. We are also to be Holy. Giving our bodies as a living sacrifice. Roman's 12 tell us to: offer our bodies as a living sacrifice Holy and pleasing to God. This is our spiritual act of worship. We are Not "to conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but rather be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Then we will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good and pleasing and perfect will.
So many people say "I don't know what God's will for my life is". That's always a difficult place to be in but I don't think we'll find it
down the pub partying or backbiting about each other or being jealous of someone-elses success.
The scripture tells us to come apart from the world to a place where we can be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
David knew all about this. He spent many an hour out in the fields with his sheep. Talking to God and learning about God's heart. That's how he came to be known as "a man after God's own heart" You can't go after something if you don't know or recognise it.
The only place I know to find my Father's heart is in His presence. Spending time with Him, praying, asking "what do you want for my life" "teach me your ways, that I may walk in your statutes".
There will always be a tension within us as long as we walk this earth. We will all tempted by worldly things of varying levels. Money, possessions, ambition, careers, friends, lust, chores power.
I used to be very materialistic always wanting what others had. A nice home, a better car all those things that can trap us. But as the years have passed and I've become closer to Jesus He has shown me that it's treasures in heaven that I am to store up not on earth.
It saddens me when I see people running around manically spending every spare hour they have collecting material things or doing DIY because they think their self worth and their identity are wrapped up in having the perfect manicured home.
All these things and more will be used by the enemy to sway us from the path of our calling. We are not superheroes but we need to keep short accounts with God continually seeking Him for His will for our lives. Checking in constantly.
David said of God in psalm 119 " Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" When we immerse ourselves in His word we are assured of His direction and leading.
All this seems so difficult and hard to achieve I know. The truth is I don't believe we ever "get there" But we get closer as we learn to lean more on Jesus and less on ourselves
Let us be flexible. Hold everything loosely. If God asks us to lay something down it's usually because He has something much better for us to take up. I lay down my ministry constantly it's not a one off thing. I have to repeat my acts of surrender because I am human and I am very good at taking it back up again
Be patient. We don't have a fame academy for worship leaders or a pop idol of instant recognition. It takes time to develop our gifting and character.
Several years ago I was asked to sing at a well known conference as a backing singer. As the time got nearer I didn't hear anything and so I rang only to be told the team had already been chosen and I wasn't required. I was gutted, let down, disappointed you name it I felt it. But looking back, my character would not have sustained me to that level of ministry. It took a long time and a lot of gentle direction from Jesus for me to learn it's not about being on a platform but it's all about my relationship with Jesus. This HAS to come first. Seek FIRST the kingdom of God and all these other things will be added unto you.
All I know is that as I have grown in my walk with Jesus I have seen amazing opportunities spring up before my eyes. He is so generous. I take one step He takes 4. It's amazing.
It is no accident that you find yourself involved in worship at this time. You were called for such a time as this. God saw your life in vivid picture before you were even on this earth.
He knows the potential we have, He put it there. I don't want to miss out on the things of God because I am too busy with the things of the world. When I stand before Him I want Him to say Angie, you were indeed a worshipper for an audience of one.
© 2005 Angie Lendon