I was reading in Philippians and began to think about the importance of humility, not only in our daily living but in worshipping and in worship leading. Our worship should never be for show nor should our worship leading be for the purpose of gaining attention to ourselves. In the first chapter of Philippians Paul talks about those who preach out of jealousy, rivalry, selfish ambition and challenges them that their motives be genuine or authentic. He says we should have pure motives in preaching about Christ. Even we who lead worship using music are preaching Christ and should do it with pure motives.
Then in chapter 2 Paul really gets into some principles that we as worshipers and worship leaders should practice and sometimes we don't. "Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves." Good word to worship leaders, worship choirs and teams, soloists, etc. Then he says, "Don't look out only for your own interests, . . ." As worshippers do we only want the ways of worship, the music of worship, the order of worship to be "our way"? Of course, he goes on to say, "You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had." "He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross" . . . for you and for me. In this season of remembering the cross may we approach worship, whether a worshipper or a worship leader, with an attitude of humility - even as our Lord. mjm
