Worship is More Than a Song

Yesterday I had the opportunity to see music pastor and Christian recording artist Ross King in concert. He was invited to our church to do a special Christmas concert and share some of the songs on his new CD- The Christmas Stories. I had never heard of him until I started dating Mike, but I really enjoy his music! And I have been challenged by his music. He has written some great songs that have honest and powerful lyrics. I really enjoyed his concert, and I think you should check out his CD :)

I have been thinking about something Ross said in his concert last night. It's actually not a new thought (I have been challenged by this thought by others in recent months), but I haven't blogged about it yet. Ross talked about how we have somehow come to view the word "worship" as synonymous with "music." When you ask someone how the worship was, people will almost always frame their response in musical terms. I have been guilty of it. When did we let that happen?? There's nothing wrong with using music as a tool to worship our God. It's personally one of my favorite ways to bring an offering of worship before my God.

But worship is SO much more than music. It's SO much more than a song. I should be living a life of worship- in how I do my work, how I spend my money, how I interact with and love the people around me, how I spend my time, where I focus my energy and attention, how I spend my time in prayer and reading the Scripture...

I think this might be one of my favorite songs by Ross King- you may have heard it as it is one of his more popular songs and plays on the radio. You can listen to it here and I included the lyrics below. It's not on his Christmas album, but he sang it last night and I pray that the Lord helps me remember that He alone is worthy of all worship, honor, and praise. I pray that the Lord exposes the idols in my life and continues to mold me into a servant that boldly proclaims the hope of salvation to those around me. And I pray that He will provide the grace and humility I desperately need to truly live a life of worship to the glory of my King...

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze

If that's the measure you must take to crush the idols.

Chuck the pews and all the decorations too

Until the congregation's few then have revival.

Tell your friends that this is where the party ends

until you're broken for your sins you can't be social.

Then seek the Lord and wait for what he has in store

and know that great is your reward so just be hopeful

Cause you can sing all you want to

Yes you can sing all you want to

you can sing all you want to

And don't get me wrong, worship is more than a song

Take a break from all the plans that you have made

And sit at home alone and wait for God to whisper.

Beg Him please to open up his mouth and speak

And pray for real upon your knees until they blister.

Shine the light on every corner of your life

Until the pride and lust and lies are in the open.

Then read the word and put to test the things you've heard

Until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken.

Cause you can sing all you want to

Yes you can sing all you want to

you can sing all you want to

And don't get me wrong, worship is more than a song

Anything I put before my God is an idol.

Anything I want with all my heart is an idol.

Anything I can't stop thinking of is an idol.

Anything that I give all my love is an idol.

We must not worship something that's not even worth it.

Clear the stage and make some space for the one who deserves it.

Cause I can sing all I want to

Yes I can sing all I want to

I can sing all I want to

And still get it wrong, worship is more than a song

And you can sing all you want to

Yes you can sing all you want to

You can sing all you want to

But don't get me wrong, worship is more than a song

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze
If that's the measure you must take to crush the idols.