The Worship Habit

So here's a story...about a man and his habit. (Cheesy, but true story)

So I walk into the music office on our campus (Yes, this story is about me) and gave the usual greeting to Joanna, the music/chaplain's assistant here on campus. She organizes some of the worship teams, and did such a task for this worship with Josh DeBois (Some guy who works in the White House with Faith Based stuff). Anyways, apparently this is a big deal worship thing, and she asks me; "So you ready for this?" I responded with a casual "eh...ya know."

Really?

I am about to not only worship God, but lead His people in worship, and all I have to say about this is "eh?" I'm not even Canadian! God chose me, this terribly unworthy sinner, to not only love, but to lead his people in one of the most holy actions imaginable, and that's all I can say?

So Joanna calls me out on this, and inquires as to my lack of enthusiasm, because I should clearly be excited for this great chance. She points out the fact that every time I even worship, let alone lead, I should be excited. Furthermore, I should be mentally and spiritually preparing for these worship services!

This got me thinking, I've gotten into this terrible habit of worship leading.

Yes, you read that right. I have turned this opportunity from God into a bad habit. I have gotten to a point in my life where I regularly help lead 2-3 worships every week, sometimes more. This is great, and I love it. It's what God's called me to do, I think. The problem becomes that it is now a habit, which means I don't put the effort into it or get as excited about it as I should.

I'm not prayerfully considering each worship.

I'm not preparing mentally or spiritually for each worship.

I'm viewing worship as a thing I do, like a job.

So I've resolved to regain the passion of my worship planning. Regain the excitement and treat each worship time as something special and not a habit. I would encourage other worship leaders to do the same and guard their hearts against this trap that I have fallen into. Together, we need to remember that Christ has created this awesome expression of praise, and chooses some of us to lead it! If you have any ideas on how to keep this from happening to me or others, please do tell!

I would encourage you to love and cherish each opportunity to worship, whether you're leading or not, because it truly is an amazing thing to bear one's self before God and praise Him. I don't' want to sound like your mother, but there are people in Africa who can't worship. It sounds cliche, but seriously, we have an amazing freedom to worship, let's not abuse it.

Hopefully, we can turn that Canadian "eh" into an excited Fonzie "EH!"....but leave the collar down please.