Later this morning I shall be going to church. There will be the usual familiar pattern of songs, prayers and sermon. Before and after the service I shall chat to folks. I know what to expect; I know who to expect. This morning’s worship will include the Matt Redman song ‘Heart of Worship’…
I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus
It’s good to be reminded of why I – we – do it each week. We can get so wrapped up in what we do and how we do it, the people, our opinions and feelings. The heart of Christian worship is Jesus – no more, no less; yet we allow unimportant details to get blown out of proportion.
When the music fades
All is stripped away, and I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that’s of worth
That will bless Your heart
I’ve been involved with church music for many years. It’s a mixed blessing. There are always discussions about traditional hymns and modern songs, appropriate tunes and instruments… I’m told if the music is ‘good this morning’, whether it’s too happy, dreary, noisy, modern, old-fashioned, predictable, long-winded.
And yet. Matt Redman reminds us that it’s not about the music. It’s about me – us – bringing worship to our God that is intentional, honouring, honourable, authentic, and above all God-centred. It’s not about what I want or like…
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I’m weak and poor
All I have is Yours, every single breath
I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart, yeah
I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You, It’s all about You, Jesus
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about You, It’s all about You, Jesus
Focusing on Jesus puts everything else into perspective. Beside the ‘King of endless worth’ I’m ‘weak and poor’. Just singing songs, saying a few prayers, listening to a sermon, seems inadequate.
The weather’s getting colder. In a few weeks’ time we shall sing ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’… The last verse starts, ‘What can I give Him, poor as I am?’ It’s about trying to see, understand, bring my worship… I’m deeply aware of my inadequacy… ‘Yet what I can I bring him, bring him my heart.’ The heart of worship is about bringing my heart. I pray that I shall do that this morning.
