True Worship for Your Soul

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

True worship is found in truth from Scripture. It is not found in emotionalism caused by music, however beautiful. As someone who has played instruments – piano, trumpet, and drums – for years, I consider myself a musician who enjoys quality music. That extends to worshipful music, where hearts are lifted up to the very Creator of all things.

The problem with much of what passes for Christian music – in my opinion – has to do with too many worship leaders try to use the music itself to bring forth an emotional state within the worshiper. This, they believe, brings forth a more genuine worshipful experience.

I realize that we see through a glass darkly here and when we see Jesus face to face, we will see Him as He is. Do you think we will need any music to cause us to bring us to the point of true worship? I can’t imagine it. In fact, I would be willing to bet that at that point, all of Creation will “sing” to God, something that I believe is veiled for the most part now, because sin, the sin nature, and the fact that all of Creation groans under the weight of it.

But getting back to music, I will state that as a drummer, I have joined in my fair share with other musicians and singers trying to lead God’s people into worship. Too often, these situations always fall short because of the shortcomings of the people involved, including the worship leader.

A while ago, I swore off being part of worship teams because they always seemed to draw more attention to the worship leaders (or the band) rather than God Himself. Yes, music (and singing) should be the vehicle through which our spirits soar. It should lift us up and free us from the discrepancies that often plague us due to our inherent sin nature, something we will never successfully get beyond practically speaking in this life (where the rubber meets the road).

One of my favorite musicians over the past several years has been John Tesh. Most know him from the show Entertainment Tonight! where he was one of the main anchors. Through that venue I heard about John’s musicianship and I was enthralled.

Long after he quit his anchor job on ET, he began to release a number of CDs where the music itself was very uplifting. In a world where there is so much “death metal,” (even within so-called Christian music circles), John Tesh’s music was a beacon, a very bright one and one that I embraced.

Imagine my delight when Tesh began to release music with a hymnal quality to it? In fact, one of my favorite CDs/DVDs is Tesh’s “Worship at Red Rocks Live.” If you have not watched this – and by watch, I mean singalong and participate in and with! – you are missing out.

Here is an example of a John Tesh tune – Breathe – as he leads those attending in open-air worship of God Almighty! You cannot watch this or hear it without being moved. Yes, the music is outstanding with true musicians at the helm. The voices beautiful. However, it is the words that take on a life of their own.

Breathe. God is closer to us than our breath. How can we not be moved by that truth? I woke up this morning thinking aloud that He is closer to me than my breath is, yet my breath keeps me alive and literally “infiltrates” all areas of my being either directly or indirectly.

Still, God is closer to me than my breath. What love. He loves me so much that He found a way to live inside me, empowering me, gracing me with His glorious Presence. He is in me. He lives within me. His power to overcome sin is resident within me if only I will learn to daily rely on Him and His power.

God is closer than our breath. I like what John says on the video as he introduces the song. “Take a deep breath. Hold it. Exhale.”

This is the air I breathe. This is the air I breathe. Your holy Presence, living in me.

This is the air I breathe. This is the air I breathe. Your holy Presence, living in me.

This is my daily bread. This is my daily bread. Your very words, spoken to me.

And I..I’m desperate for you.

And I…I’m lost without you.

This is the air I breathe. This is air I breathe. Your holy Presence, living in me.

This is my daily bread. This is my daily bread. Your very words, spoken to me.

And I..I’m desperate for you.

And I…I’m lost without you.

Oh Lord our God…make this our prayer…our constant desire. May we know you and the truth that we are lost without you.

Thank you for dwelling in us, Oh Lord. May our lives please you in every way, every day. May we never knowingly break off our fellowship with You.

And I..I’m desperate for you.

And I…I’m lost without you.

I don’t know if I will ever play my drums again in a public worship setting. But I do know that I play them with a different purpose in my basement to songs like this.

May God be glorified in all we do.

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective