Am I A Critic Or A Worshiper?

Today we had the opportunity to hear from worship leaders Wade Joye and Chris Brown at breakfast. They have both been through some trials and serious tests of their faith, yet like always...it has made them stronger in their walks with God. Wade opened up with an illustration of a story of a bat which immediately gave me the sermon illustration I have with trying to catch a bat with my brother Brett a couple years ago at our cottage. I'll never forget the shriek I heard coming from my mother up stairs as we quickly came to her aid. In the next 30 minutes after going through countless number of weapons to use to get the bat out, we finally concluded with using our paintball masks for jokes and our minnow fishing nets. The point behind the story was to illustrate that it's important to have the right tools for what you are doing. We didn't need the sharpest weapon...all we needed was a net...or in Wade's case just a tupperware container. We all have different gifts and passions but we need to be using them appropriately for God's glory. We don't need to be wasting our time doing something we weren't made to do or not gifted to do.

Chris gave us some advice that has been a main topic throughout my blog and what I've been learning/applying to my life here. Not only having gratitude in all circumstances but he concentrated on our hearts in worship. The very first thing we need to do is praise God with thanksgiving in all circumstances regardless of what is on your mind. Your ability to worship is not based off circumstances and we often give God our crumbs. As a worship leader, being in different environments, sometimes with all the equipment needed or not, Chris has the option of being a critic or a worshiper. He can critique others about poor performances in a poor environment or he could worship God under any situation because God deserves it. We don't need the huge stage and bright lights to worship God. Our God deserves our attention and our actions should reflect in our worship. The quickest way to get back on track with the Lord is having a heart of gratitude and expressing that through worship, even in our darkest of trials. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, ask God to increase your capacity!