Don’t Forget the Main Thing
- By Charmaine Brown
- 14 Comments
If I sing with beautiful tone and have perfect rhythm, but do not have love for Jesus, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of being able to move the room with my dynamics and my stage presence, and if I have a lot of range and can sing low and high notes with incredible strength, but do not have love for Jesus, I am nothing.
If I spend countless hours developing my craft and spend my money on the best music programs that I may boast, but do not have love for Jesus, I gain nothing.
In reading this, you’re probably recalling Paul’s letter to the Corinthians—in particular his famous “love” chapter, where he rebukes them for taking pride in their spiritual experiences but failing to love one another.
Without love…
You’re a “clanging cymbal.”
You’re “nothing.”
You “gain nothing.”
(1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NIV)
Paul’s words are strong. But we can easily fall into the same sort of trap as worship vocalists. As we grow in knowledge of our instrument and become more skilled—our range grows, our pitch and tone improve, our harmonies are just right, we get chosen to lead worship, etc. etc.—we are prone to forget the main thing.
LOVE.
Most importantly, love for Jesus.
Everything in our lives must bow to His Lordship, including our pursuit of skill and our role on the worship team. Even doing things FOR Him can become an idol if we do not intentionally put Him FIRST and FOREMOST.
So this week, as you sing, practice and prepare songs for your church services, please don’t forget:
Jesus is the most important person in every room.
Jesus is the most important person in our lives.
Jesus is the one we sing to and sing for.
Jesus deserves our thanks and praise for His incredible, sacrificial act of love in dying for us.
And so let’s reframe this now…
Whether your tone and rhythm sound perfect or not when you sing, if you have love for Jesus, you are a beautiful instrument of righteousness.
Whether the people in the congregation seem to respond in worship or not, if you have love for Jesus, you have done well, good and faithful servant.
If you do your very best to practice and prepare for being on the worship team amongst family and work and kids and real life, but you still make mistakes when you sing, if you have love for Jesus, He is so pleased.
When we have first love for Jesus, we have everything. We gain everything. Because other things then fall into their rightful place.
When we submit to His Lordship, our Father God happily and so kindly molds us and shapes us into the image of His selfless and beautiful Son—and our families, our worship teams, our churches, and our own selves are so much better off for it.
First love for Jesus is EVERYTHING. So put Him first today and every day. Spend time with Him, in His Word and talking with Him, every day.
Responses
Dear Charmaine, So glad your back after your sabbatical.
You are the only worship vocalist I can trust, for that reason of being Christ centred in your courses. It’s the theology and practical measures that make a difference. If we forget to train our relationship then we have a voice without the aroma that pleases God.
Wow, my worship is improving because of you. I am from England living in Germany and able to influence my church in worship, I sometimes don’t recognise myself in the quiet development I am making. I pray for a worship revival in Germany, it’s coming!!
Praise God for your creativity that stretches out to all nations.
God bless you and your family
Many Greetings
Kathryn
Thank you Charmaine! So, so true.
Love is an action, much more than a feeling.
This old hymn just came to mind. May we all:
“Finish then Thy new creation
Pure & spotless let us be.
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee
Changed from glory into glory
Till in heaven we take our place
Till we cast our crowns before Thee
LOST IN WONDER, LOVE & PRAISE
Hallelujah!
Thank you for sharing this hymn! I haven’t heard this one yet but the lyrics are so beautiful! I’ve been rediscovering some old hymns lately and the theology is so rich!
Yes, I totally agree. It is all about Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. We cannot do anything without him. Sometimes when we are facing challenges, we still have to remember that it is all about Jesus and that we need to hold on to his promises for us. God bless you and your family always. Shalom!
Agreed! We cannot do anything without Him!
Whenever I enter the stage/loft to worship and praise with song, I silently talk, praying to God, saying, “Lord, guide me so that your presence, the Holy Spirit, is ushered into the room and covers all our hearts, the congregation. Use me Father God to bring people to your kingdom…cover all with your love and protection, for we trust and love you.” I love the Lord and Savior. Charmaine, I am thankful for your gracious guidance and wisdom you share. It validates the importance of not being about ‘me’ when approaching His throne. God be with you.
Amen! Thanks for sharing!
I looooove this!!!! So very encouraging 🎉❤️
Glad it was encouraging for you!