Worship Leader

A New Start – Day 31

A few days ago, I wrote about the colossal failure of Aaron as a leader.  You would have thought that it would be the end of his role in the leadership of Israel.  I am not sure how Moses could trust him again.  But Moses did.

Exodus 39 speaks of the special garments for the priests of Israel.  One article stuck out to me.  It was a pure gold medallion to be worn only on Aaron’s turban.  On it were the words “Holy to the Lord.”  Only months before, Aaron, through his failure as a leader, led the people into idol worship.  He  would now wear this medallion that was made this way by the instructions of the Lord.  I do not understand it, but I like it. 

I like it because it shows a beautiful picture of redemption.  It shows how God can still use abject failures.  We are not given the specifics of Aaron’s repentance and restoration, but it is clear that both God and Moses believe him capable of leading the people in worship.

Are there ways in which you have failed?  I know the answer to that question.  We have all failed at times.  Know from this example that you can still be used by God.  Not only that but God can still put you in a leadership position despite your past.  I know of a few different friends who have backgrounds of violence and addiction who are now leading others to wholeness and healing.  Do not let your past or even the failures of your present hold you back.  Move forward.  Step into the path of holiness.  Be amazed at how God’s redemption and purpose for you will lead others to follow in that path.

Head Room

A New Start – Day 30

When I run sound, I always adjust it so that there is room to turn each channel up if need be.  In the language of the audio tech, that is called head room.  We use the same idea for many things.  We allow room between our car and the one ahead of us.  We go buy groceries before we are completely out (hopefully).  We complete projects before their deadlines (again, hopefully).  The idea is to have a cushion in case the unexpected happens.

This is part of the idea behind the Sabbath.  In Moses’ day, they were so serious about the Sabbath that the punishment for breaking it was death.  Later, Jesus made it less legalistic by telling us that the Sabbath was for man, not the other way around.  Taking a Sabbath break allows us time to recharge, to connect with God and each other, and get our thoughts in order.  It gives us a cushion so that we do not wear out or “crash” in an emotional or physical breakdown.

Are you getting enough Sabbath?  I am sometimes guilty of being busy seven days a week, but I usually try to take breaks wherever possible.  It is good when those breaks are a full day long.  I try to have time during those breaks for time with the Lord and in His Word.  I also try to make sure I have time to give my mind a break with some fun entertainment as well as physical rest. 

If you are not getting the spiritual, mental, and physical breaks that you need, I challenge you to dial back your schedule.  Just like you would not drive with only an inch to spare from the car in front of you, leave more than an inch of free time in your daily and weekly schedules. Practice the Sabbath.  Give yourself head room.

Oh Joy!

A New Start – Day 29

I was listening to Jeremy Camp on the drive home, enjoying some good worship music when someone cut me off in traffic.  It was amazing how quickly I came out of my worshipful mood.  It was somewhat like Moses’ first mountaintop experience.

Moses came down from meeting with God on the mountain the first time to find the Israelites worshiping an idol.  He got so angry that he broke the tablets containing the Ten Commandments.  I would rather my mountaintop experiences be more like his second time coming down the mountain.  That time his face literally glowed from spending time with God.

I don’t know about having my face literally glowing but I would like to be that person that, when you see them in a group, they stand out as the one who is truly joyful.  You’ve all seen that person – the one for whom it takes great effort to get the smile off their face.  It is my prayer that my times spent with the Lord make me into that person.  I have a long way to go.

Perhaps you are that person.  You could teach me a thing or two.  Perhaps you are the person who has a hard time finding joy in anything.  I challenge you to ask God for joy.  Remember that Moses spent a lot more than ten minutes with God.  Get some time alone with God and talk with Him.  Argue with Him if you need to.  Then listen to Him – through His Word, and through His Spirit.  Accept the joy that He has for you and when (not if) you get it, share it!

Be A Moses!

A New Start – Day 28

The difference between Moses and Aaron – Moses spends forty days conversing with God, getting instructions on leading the people of Israel into the Promised Land.  Aaron lets the people lead him into making a golden idol for them and then makes up a lame excuse when Moses finds out. 

I have been called to be a leader in various capacities over the years.  In those times, I must confess that I have been as guilty as Aaron, letting the people I was supposed to be leading lead me.  You might say, “I am not called to be a leader so I can ignore this.”  To that I would tell you that pretty much everyone is given a leadership role at some point.  Are you a parent, have a group of friends, interact with anyone, write a blog?  You are a leader.

How did Aaron fail?  In a democracy, it is not a failure to listen to the people.  I am not suggesting that he should have been a tyrant.  I believe where he failed was when he compromised his beliefs.  True, the Hebrew faith was not fully developed yet, but Aaron knew better that to worship idols.  Instead of standing firm and encouraging people to be faithful to the Lord, he allowed them to pressure him into following the wrong path.

As you lead your kids, friends, colleagues, or students, encourage them to follow the right path.  Do not let them pressure you into following the popular path that lacks faith.  Always lead them to the truth of God!  Be a Moses, who stood firm for his people, not an Aaron, who gave in.

Missing Father?

A New Start – Day 27

The worst part about my childhood was the feeling of abandonment from my father.  After my parent’s divorce, there were many times when he did not follow through with scheduled visitation times, sometimes not letting me know until after I had waited several hours for him.  Granted, there are much worse things for a kid to go through, but that was pretty tough for a young boy who idolized his dad at first.

Today I read Psalm 27 and verse 10 stood out to me, “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.”(NLT)  I can testify that that verse is true.  After a few years of disappointment in my dad, I turned to the Lord for strength.  At the time, I was a very insecure 13 year-old who lacked direction in my life.  I won’t say that everything became perfect once I started following the Lord.  I will say that after I committed my life to Christ, I had direction and more confidence.  More importantly, I had new life that came from a heavenly Father. 

Do you feel something missing from a lack of parenting?  Know that you can turn to the Lord and He will provide all the leadership you need.

Let me also make it clear for you parents that your kids still need your strong leadership.  The Lord can provide for your kids where you lack but not every child will know to turn to the Lord.  It is far better when a parent points the way to the Lord through their words and, especially, their actions! 

If you dare, read Psalm 27 and take to heart what David says about the Lord there.  Let the Lord be your Father.

Get Real

A New Start – Day 25

My biggest hero of the Bible (besides Jesus) is King David.  He was an ordinary guy with great leadership ability and a heart after God.  The Psalm I read today (Psalm 25) was written by him and expresses some of the fear and anxiety he felt both from those who sought his downfall and from his own shortcomings.  He was honest about how he felt and expressed it in his writings.

I have the privilege of going to a church where people are generally honest about their faults and feelings.  It is good to be able to deal with all of that openly.  Still, I am tempted to put on a mask and act as if everything is always fine.  My life is good, but like David, I am not perfect.  When I am honest with my brothers, I can deal with the tough times and imperfections and move on to an even better life.

Do you feel like you are wearing a mask all the time?  Do those around you have the impression that your life is perfect all the time?  We are all human.  We all have our hurts, hang ups, and habits.  It is much better when we deal with them rather than hide them.  Let’s be like King David, who, despite living the good life as King, was honest about his problems.  Let’s cultivate the relationships that help deal with those problems.  If you do not have a church or friends that you can be open with, I suggest finding a Celebrate Recovery program (it is not just for addicts and alcoholics). I also suggest reading David’s Psalms (like Psalm 25).  Know that you are not alone.

What I Did Not Do

A New Start – Day 24

I did a service call yesterday that was a recall on someone else.  The other tech had done a good job of repairing the machine but the repair had wiped out the settings in the machine so they could not print or scan.  He did everything right, but overlooked that one last step of reentering the settings (which I have done in the past as well).

Today I started reading the rules that God gave Moses to tell the Israelites, including the Ten Commandments.  Most of you know that when Jesus commented on the commandments, He made sure His followers knew that they were matters of the heart.  In other words, if you lust after someone, you are guilty of adultery.  If you are cruel to someone, you are guilty of murder, and so on.  I think it is safe to say (as Paul did in Romans 3:23) that we have all sinned. 

Something I noticed today is that you can do nothing and think nothing and still sin.  In Exodus 21, Moses was told that if someone’s animal is known to be dangerous and the owner does nothing about it, the owner is liable if someone gets hurt.  That makes sense.  Consider that concept as a matter of the heart.  If there is something or someone you are ignoring, will your inaction cause hurt or harm?  That is a tough question that will take some examination.

I point this out not to make anyone feel guilty.  Frankly, without the sacrifice of Christ, we are all guilty.  It is very easy to overlook that one last important step in something.  I point this out to myself that I may live a life that helps rather than hurts those around me.  I invite you to ask yourself this question with me, “Is there anything or anyone that I am ignoring today that I need to do something about?  Do I need to call someone or see someone and repair a relationship?  Do I need to do a task that I have been putting off?”  Let’s live full, helpful, generous, and loving lives that don’t ignore little important things.