CBC Worship Ministries: Devotional Blog

Well, by Wednesday morning it will be all over. (At least, I'm thinking it will be, but you never know). The votes will be cast, a leader chosen, and a new course of action will be set into play. No matter which candidate wins, one thing is sure: things will never be the same. Changes will be made. Some will be big, some small; some will be monumental; others very subtle. Somehow we Americans seem to be able to take it all in stride. We'll look around us, and whether it is our candidate that won or lost, we'll go on, keep plugging, keeping moving forward, keep on the path. The American spirit is nothing if not resilient. You can throw all sorts of things at us and won't phase us in the least bit.

Oh that it were that way in the church. Why is it that the least little change will set some off? We seem to be able to take change in our society better than we take change in our pews. The ironic thing is that being a believer is more about change than anything else in life. As we grow in Christ, we should be constantly changing. Changing our habits. Changing our pursuits. Changing our interests. Changing our focus. Changing our attitudes. Changing the way we minister to others. Changing the strategies for reaching the lost. Now one thing that won't really change: that is who God made you. You're not going to grow any taller. Your nose will not get any smaller (without plastic surgery, that is!) You eyes will not change from brown to blue. Your personality, the traits that God has given you, the gifts He has entrusted to you, will not change. And why is that? Because God wants us to be able to concentrate on the things we CAN change.

The life of the believer should never ever be in a state of stagnation. God wants you to change, and on a daily basis. It's called the process of sanctification - a big theological word which simply means to be set apart. As worship leaders, you especially have a responsibility to take this very seriously. Others see you every week. They will measure Christianity by the standard of who they see lead them. If you feel as though you have not been challenged to grow lately I strongly encourage you to talk to someone - a pastor, an elder, someone who has more experience and wisdom than you. Ask yourself the hard question - where and how am I growing today? And when you do, you will find that you're not in that grumpy group of discontents who complain about every little change at church. You'll be the one leading the crusade!!