Worship is More than a Song

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Graeme Wilson in Victory Call

I want to paint a picture for you all. I’m sure it’s a scene we’ve all seen before, and it really is a beautiful one.

We walk through the doors of our home church, Wawa coffee in hand, and start a conversation with some friends that we get to see every week. We ask them how their week has been, and maybe we grab a bagel from the breakfast table. Soon, the worship team stands in front of the church, which means that the congregation should probably begin to settle in and find their seats. Pretty soon, “Amazing Grace” begins to play from the front of the room, and we start to see hands going up in worship – and we lift our hands in worship too, because we are so moved. The lyrics are powerful, we can feel the Holy Spirit at work, and we really lose ourselves in bringing Him praise.

It’s a great way to begin our week – but how many people end worship at the last song on Sunday morning? Further, how many people only worship through music? Recently, I heard a song called “Clear the Stage” and after hearing the lyrics, I thought it would be a really good topic for a Victory Call.

“Cause you can sing all you want to
And still get it wrong.
Worship is more than a song.”

If you’ve never heard the song before, I want to encourage you to listen to it. It’s such a “real” and powerful song.

I was looking at GotQuestions.org about this very topic, and it said:  “Music as such has nothing to do with worship. Music can’t produce worship, although it certainly can produce emotion. Music is not the origin of worship, but it can be the expression of it. Do not look to music to induce your worship; look to music as simply an expression of that which is induced by a heart that is rapt by the mercies of God, obedient to His commands. True worship is God-centered worship. People tend to get caught up in where they should worship, what music they should sing in worship, and how their worship looks to other people”

Music is not a bad thing. It’s great! It’s a gift from God, and a great way to praise Him and lift His name on high. We can worship through music at any time, any day. However, it’s not the only form of worship. You can – and should – worship the Lord with your daily activities. Worship can be through prayer, reading the Word, tithing, obeying Him, sharing your faith, thanking Him… it’s not limited. What I mean is, though praising Him through music is wonderful on Sunday mornings, and I really mean that – it’s a blessing and it is so powerful – it should not be our only act of worship or our only time of worship. Worship should be in a continuous state.

What a joy it is to be able to worship the Lord. What a joy it is that we can do it through our daily activities. What a joy it is that worship is so intimate, powerful, and personal. God is so good.

“My mouth is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor all day long.” – Psalm 71:8

Erin Culleny is a new member of America’s Keswick’s full-time staff. Erin serves as a Marketing Assistant and Staff Writer. She had served on Summer Staff since 2011, and this past summer had the unique opportunity of co-directing Children’s Ministry with one of her best friends. She is very excited to continue to build relationships with the guests and be very involved in the ministry.