I want to share with you a story.
There are very few things in this world that move me more than worship.
It was an incredible moment that I’m not quite sure how to put into words. I have been apart of many worship teams and worshiped in many different places and fashions. I have seen Papa show up and completely change the atmosphere of an entire room. I have seen hearts changed, I have seen mountains moved, I have seen healing, I have seen hope restored, faith renewed, I have seen redemption, and I have seen salvation in a single moment. But never have I seen Papa bring so many people so completely together to praise as one heart, one mind, one body.
I had an opportunity recently to serve and worship with a world race squad who recently returned home. There were a series of things that happened that could only be explained by Papa weaving it all together to make any of what I am about to share possible.
A conversation I had with one of the squad worship leaders lead to her asking if I would be willing to help out with their set. I said I was willing to help if they needed it and the next day I was officially recruited to play guitar and that night we met together to discuss the set list. As we talked about songs and what they want set to look like I couldn’t help but smile. They had such a passion for worshiping Papa and a gift to go with it. I saw so much potential in every single one of them. Each bringing something a little different to the team. They only thing they needed was something to unit them. They needed a common vision. I already knew from the songs that they picked that they were on to something.
As we practiced that night and the next afternoon/evening I felt a lot of tension. There had been quite a few ideas and thoughts being given and I would say that there was some confusion that had set in. I had planned on bringing it up that night but before I could say anything they had already begun to walk through it. Then a really cool thing happened. The word “declaration” had been given to two of the women on the team and almost immediately the tension was gone and everyone was on the same page. It was decided that the set of songs we would sing was going to be a declaration to be sung and prayed over ourselves and the body. With a vision to lead them, I sensed a motivation and unity that hadn’t been there the day before and certainly not earlier that afternoon. Papa had brought them together with a single word.
The next morning everything fell into place. As soon as we began to sing the I could feel the Spirit take over. The unity that had been found by the team was carrying over to the Body as a whole. I have never seen anything like it. Each team member lead at least one song in the set and with each song there was a shift in the atmosphere. They lead boldly and confidently. The Spirit was stirring and pouring out in every heart in such a way that I couldn’t help but see the enemy running in fear.
With “What a Beautiful Name” we declared the beautiful, wonderful and powerful name of Jesus. With “Sinking Deep” we declared the deep deep love of Papa In sending Jesus and with “Fierce” we declared His pursuit of us in that love. In “Fullness” we declared the Spirit that was given and fills us and makes us whole. In “Resurrecting” we declared the power of the same Spirit that raises us from the dead in victory with Jesus and in “Be Enthroned” we joined in worship together with heaven and earth singing to Papa who sits on a throne on our praise and adoration. Finally, We declared our freedom in the Blood of Christ with “Nothing But The Blood.”
By the end every heart was open and not a single voice was silent. His Presences was dwelling in that space like I have never seen or experienced. I have been leading worship for quite a while now and there are so many moments where I have thought to myself “I don’t know that it could get any better than that…” and yet, He surpasses my expectation every time. He moves and ministers in ways I never considered or thought possible and it’s usually far better than I could ever imagine. He is so creative in the way He reveals Himself to us. To see Him work through a few of His beloved daughters(and a son) in such a powerful way was so beautiful and humbling. It sparked in me a renewed desire to continue to sow into the gift that Papa has given me. I was reminded why I love worship so much and of how He called to me to Himself for the very first time…being lost in a moment so full of love and grace that my heart couldn’t help but sing and my spirit come alive. I don’t know what what it will be like to worship when we get to heaven…but I am confident that this is the closest I have ever been.
Thank you J-squad for allowing me to be apart of that incredible worship. Papa used you all so powerfully and I am so very thankful for each and every one of you for saying yes and using your gifts to glorify and honor the one who deserves it all.
Here is a link for a short little snapshot of that morning:https://youtu.be/U3HwpEXIANs
Peace and blessings!
