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RevMT -> Briers and Thorns and Thistles (7/22/2008 11:51:16 AM)
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I have an interesting story to tell -- and it's all about truth, about worship, and about discouragement.
For the past three or four years, I have been really struggling with the leading of worship. I had felt many times as if I was beating my head against a brick wall -- entertaining the congregation instead of accomplishing their participation. It wasn't as if I didn't pray and seek the Lord for a service, because I did. It was the lack of response that frustrated me and had me scratching my head. I have posted comments about that here before.
Yesterday, I received the answer. And yes, some of you who read this may say, "Of Course!" It was me, but not for all of the "usual reasons."
Several years ago, in fact, back in 1983, the Lord began to give me music. He called it "the songs of His heart." He told me to write them down as He gave them, and that they would serve a specific purpose when I had received all of them. I wrote faithfully for three or four years whenever He gave the song.
Then some things happened. Events occurred that changed my entire perspective on life. They were not pleasant events, and I stopped writing. I stopped listening. And yet, I tried to continue as before. However, "the cares of this life entered in, choked the word, and it became unfruitful."
When you stop listening, everything changes. When you stop listening, the obedience and submission stops along with it. When the obedience and submission stops, so does the anointing. What once was profitable becomes empty and void of power. Flesh profits nothing.
Yesterday, I heard Him say to me, "Finish what you started." He showed me what He was talking about -- the music that I had started writing so many years before. The implication was that if I would finish, I would be blessed. A reminder of the meaning to the word, "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ." The word never changes. The responsibility for obedience and submission never changes.
I praise Him for the fact that He is cutting away the briers, thorns, and thistles that have grown up to choke the Word, and that have strangled the voice of true worship. I pray that this little note has been a blessing to others who may be struggling.
Advice ----- don't give up. Don't stop seeking Him for the truth. Don't stop asking what is in the way, because if you seek Him with all your heart, you will surely find Him. I know without a doubt what He has done for me, and what He is doing in me. He is no respecter of persons, and He will do the same for whomever asks for truth.
Blessings,
RevMt
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