We’ve all been there:
Cue music:
Oh, I love this song! I wonder if my hair looks ok? Did I brush my teeth? Oooh, my voice sounds so good today, I’ll sing louder!
How much thought do we give to God, really? Everytime? Do we pay attention to the words we sing?
Are we really worshiping God through music and singing?
As a worshiper, these are things that have been stirring up contemplation in my own heart lately.
The Bible tells us to worship Him in spirit and in truth. It tells us to exhort one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs and sing to God with gratitude.
I looked at 71 Bible verses about worship, and out of all of those verses about 10 mention singing.
Not one mentions music.
Am I saying worshiping God with music is bad? Absolutely not– I believe it is genius!
But, what I am saying is– worship and praise are not music. They can be done with music, with singing, but music is not the definition.
I wonder how God sees what we do in our churches we call His house? Does it really honor Him? Does He approve? Does He even like it?
Or, does He see that really, we are doing it for ourselves, at least, sometimes, and only think it satisfies God?
Or, maybe we are missing that whole worhip Him in spirit and in truth, completely.
How do we worship God in spirit and in truth? What would that look like to God? Do we even try to worship Him outside of the music sets and practice times?
What does worship mean?
What does praise mean?
I do believe we all come to a point in our walk with Jesus where these questions burn into our spirit. We think we know, but–
Do we really?
May God grant us understanding, a willingness to learn, along with eyes and ears to hear and see what we might not already, clearly.
Don’t stop the music and singing. Let’s just do a heart and understanding check to see if we are missing something.
Jemtree's Heart 
I heard a testimony about someone I know is a worshiper and a worship leader who heard that the children’s ministry needed some administration and help… so she put herself into that role to serve where there’s a need instead of what might come natural and easy. What a heart check for me when I think, “Oh, I’m really worshiping God playing these songs for people to sing to.” No, I’m doing what I love, and offering something easy, almost effortless. Is that worship? Or is her willingness to minister to kids with no thought of what she gets out of it the more worshipful thing?
I think I know the answer.
It made me picture the rich guys tossing big offerings into the collection when Jesus was watching, and then the widow gives her pittance and Jesus is like, “That right there. That is worship. That cost her something.”
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