The Power of Worship

After a brief break, I found myself being called on to sing with the worship team more often than usual. This has been an emotional couple of months, particularly the past several weeks. You’d think I would secretly be wishing for a week or so off to regroup. The truth is I am grateful to Jose for needing me so often. I needed to be scheduled. Through all my recent stress, I needed to worship, to focus on God instead of my thoughts and emotions, or the fears that fought for top billing. I needed to be with Jill and Jane, Jose, and the musicians, feeling their love and support, regardless of whether or not they knew what was going on in my life. During practice, and while singing on Sunday mornings, I needed the words of both the new and the familiar songs.

“Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, you have done great things. Who, O God, is like you? Though you have made me see trouble, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up” (Psalm 71:19-20).

In David’s darkest moments, he chose to worship the God who had been faithful in the past and would be again. Considering that my most difficult problems hardly compare to those that David faced, how can I not at least attempt to do the same? And what amazing things happened in the past weeks, all because Jose called on me to lead others in singing. For a brief but precious time on Thursday nights and Sunday mornings, tension eased, songs became my prayers, God’s love felt more real, and reminders of His great track record brought hope that my battle would soon end. Not only that, but I’d be better for it and have a fresh list of reasons to thank my Father.

This past Thursday night, as I practiced with the worship team yet again, I sang with a new level of passion, as I felt the joy of release from the pit (okay, maybe “pit” is a bit dramatic, but I’d just dealt with a pretty intense issue). Though I still had some things to work through and let go of, I’d found my way out of the cold, dismal valley. Not only did I overflow with gratitude for the God who had already brought so much good out of a bad situation, but I praised Him for teaching me the beauty of worshipping him through it all.

“My lips will shout for joy when I sing to you—I, whom you have redeemed. My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long” (Psalm 71:23-24).

God, let this be true on good days and on the most difficult.

No matter what this week brings, may God fill your heart with reasons—and opportunities—to worship Him!

Many blessings,
Jeanette