Being a worship leader, my heart’s desire is to have others truly worship God and not me. That is a very hard task to be given and to complete. Of course, I want to sound good. Of course, I want people to like me. Of course, I want to be known and to do a good job. I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t feel this way, but how do I make these thoughts stay in the background so that the Lord stays in front of me.

1 Corinthians 11:1 reads, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
John 3:30 reads, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
I go back to these verses every time these thoughts become more present in me. If I am following the example of Christ, if people follow me, it will lead them to the Lord to shape them and to work in their lives. Following the example of Christ means obedience, sacrifice, solitude, truth.

I have realized that I am not responsible for how people worship. I am responsible for how I worship. What do I present before the Lord? How is my heart before the Lord? When God speaks to me- do I hear, listen and do? My worship does not start the moment I start singing a praise song. My worship is how I live my life before the Lord, where and when He can see and others don’t.

Many times, during leading corporate worship times, there are so many things behind the scenes that have gone or are going wrong. Life is just like that. Even if it is a sacrifice of praise, because life is hard and our hearts are hurting, is God being lifted up and declared as powerful and able or do we let our feelings dictate how big our God is? I must show up to corporate worship making it about Him and not about my mood or expectations.

Before I lead worship not just in song and praise but before I go into the world to be- to parent, to be a spouse, to places of employment, have I spent time with Jesus? That is what it means to follow the example of the Christ- to carve out intentionally, solitude as a practise and discipline. And while I am leading corporate times of praise and worship to include prayer and times of silence, so that my voice is not the only one people hear but God’s voice is who they hear loud and clear.

To follow Christ is to speak truth. What scriptures am I declaring and sharing? What scriptures am I allowing to lead and direct my life? Do I listen more to great speakers and well-meaning people, who may or may not know the Lord, but sound good and “everyone” knows them and is following their practical life advise? Who do I quote and refer to often? Only knowing the truth sets me and you free. The only truth comes from the Lord. His Word is the best for me and you to follow.

How is your following? We all have a following and we are all following others as well. I have been thinking about it from the perspective of worship leading, but these points are for anyone at any time as we all want our lives to count for the kingdom of God.
How is the Lord increasing in your life, even as He may be expanding your influence and reach?

As I lead a worship night not too long ago, I always want feedback so I can measure this for myself. Self - inventory is important as we do the Lord’s work. I received an amazing compliment and the person did not even know what they shared had a profound impact on me. As I had prepared for this evening, I had an idea and vision in my mind about how I wanted it to go. It turned out totally different, but better, as God truly moved and took over. I realised that what this person shared was what my heart really wanted and I was so blessed that God knew that. He knew what He needed to do. He knew what we needed. What the person shared was “…You created space for people to just worship Jesus. I wanted to go in a back corner and walk around and just sing to Jesus”

I pray that that is the desire of our hearts whether we are worship leaders or not- that how we live our lives and lead others, makes them want to leave us and go to Him! The night was not perfect. We are not perfect. But knowing that our imperfections don’t matter, as long as our hearts and direction in life leads to the right place. God uses us as we point to Him.

May we decrease more and more as we follow Christ more and more so others can see Him and find the way.