I went to a Leanna Crawford concert this week. I always have to guard myself when I’m listening to music. I’m a musician, so I notice things others probably never think about. Sometimes I would rather go to an amateur concert because I don’t even think about these details there. But when someone makes a living with their music, my level of expectation rises.
So, on Wednesday night, I got distracted for a bit. I noticed the pitch problems in the opening act. I let guitar playing styles steal my focus. When the drummer’s sticks didn’t match what my ears knew to be true, my brain had to figure it out. Were those extra toms on the track I heard, or was he using a loop? Why were they using tracks when they had a keyboard player, a drummer, and a guitar player? Why can’t the sound guys mix the vocals so I can understand all the words?
Yep. You are now in my brain. And the fact I couldn’t understand the words just pushed me further into my world of distraction.
Finally, about halfway through, I remembered why I was there. This night wasn’t about the quality of the music. This was an opportunity for me to be fed. You see, usually, in church settings, I’m the chef. I prepare the spiritual meal and serve the spiritual meal. Fortunately, God always feeds me too as I prepare and share; however, every now and then, I need a rest, a time when I have no responsibility except be nourished. That’s why I bought those tickets. It wasn’t about a great concert with the best musicians I’ve ever heard in my life.
So I settled in and just started to enjoy the rhythm and the notes. I knew she was singing for Jesus. Did I really have to know her entire prayer to pray with her as she sang? I moved to the music and stopped paying attention to the drummer and the guitar player. My mind took the opportunity to be in prayer, and as I prayed, I felt the warmth of the Spirit overwhelm me.
When Leanna read scripture and went to prayer, my attitude let me hear God. He reminded me that in that moment it was just Him and me. He invited me to sit on His lap and spoke to me about people I loved who needed a little extra attention.
When the concert finished, I knew I had been in the presence of God, but it wasn’t because Leanna presented Him better than others. It was because I decided to join her in her worship. It was because I refused to let the child in front of me (cute as he was) take my attention. It was because I entered into the throne room with her instead of watching from the outside.
It made me wonder if others missed sitting on the Father’s lap that night. Or what about on Sunday morning? Do you go all the way to the throne of Christ when you worship, or do you stand just outside the door, enjoying the music and the scenery, but never really taking part in the spiritual meal that was prepared especially for you?
Many people blame the pastor, the worship leader, the praise team, and the liturgists for their church experience. And granted, if they aren’t walking in the presence of God, they can’t lead you there. However, if in your church, you’re confident, the ones who serve the spiritual meal each week have cooked it with the Holy Spirit present, and you still feel empty when you leave, then it’s time to examine yourself.
I’ve had people (usually visitors who profess to be strong Christians) complain to me about people on their cell phones and doing other things during worship. Each time, I ask myself, did they come into the house of God seeking His presence, or did they come seeking a place to watch the show and hope to catch a glimpse of the Almighty?
What about you? What are you looking for when you enter the sanctuary on Sunday? Are you entering the throne room, or do you allow the people nearby or the mistakes humans make pull you away? We each get to choose every day. Will I be a spectator on the sidelines of the parade, or will I sit in the seat next to the One for whom we threw the party?