I played guitar again today.  I was having one of those days where my heart was not really in it.  I don't know why.  I usually look forward to being a part of the worship service.  There's something very energizing about playing in the band and witnessing worship from a very different perspective.  I really do not have much of an ego and don't have a need to play guitar in front of people.  I'm just as happy practicing a new bluegrass tune on the couch after Leslie and Daniel go to sleep as I am playing in front of people.  The reason I play in church is to be a part of worship and the hope that my music may help open someone's heart to the Holy Spirit.

Well, today it started off all about me.  I really was not in the mood to play guitar this morning.  I reluctantly practiced and come worship time, I went through the motions.  I knew the songs we were playing and pretty much could have played them in my sleep.  My mind was a million miles away from church and worship through the first couple songs we played.  I went through the mechanics of playing guitar, I hit the right notes at the right time.  I'm sure nobody but me really knew that my body was on the stage but my mind and heart were elsewhere.

It's times like these when either God wins or we let Satan win.  Far too frequently, Satan wins.  The good news is today, God won.  I don't know what happened, but right before offering, we were playing the introduction to Heart of Worship.  It was quiet and we were playing softly as Krishna said a prayer for the offering.  I looked out at the congregation and saw people worshiping and praying.  God pointed out to me they are why I'm there.  It has nothing to do with me or what I want, but I needed to give my best for Him and for them.  I honestly have no idea what Krishna was saying but her voice was very soft and I felt the Holy Spirit energize my body.  My guitar came alive and I started playing for Him and not for me.

The lyrics say, in essence, I will bring you more than a song because a song is not what you desire.  As I was playing the introduction, watching His people worship Him, it hit me that a song was all I was bringing Him this morning.  He opened my heart.

I suppose the reason I'm writing this today is to share with anyone who is reading this to look into your heart whenever you feel you're just going through the motions.  If you're heart is not into worship, listen for His voice and draw strength from others who are worshiping.

It is really not about you or what you want or what you need.  It is about Him and those around you.  If you're just going through the motions, others will sense that and it may prevent someone else from opening their heart to Jesus.  If nothing else, it will keep your heart from opening to His message.

He wants and deserves our very best.

'nuff said.
Jeff