Imagine this scenario with me…you’ve arrived at the church building for a Sunday morning service. You’ve made your way in and found a seat. The service begins as usual with a welcome and announcements about important things. Perhaps you hear a missionary share about the work they are doing. Maybe there is a video conveying a spiritual concept. Then the music starts. You’re invited to stand with everyone else as the leader encourages you to express praise through singing. You’re singing along with the words that declare the truth of who Jesus is, and then it happens. The words disappear off the screen, and there is just music playing. What do you do now?
In our modern gatherings where the same types of things happen regularly and we know the routine, it can be hard to know what to do in those “free” moments. Our natural tendency is to look around, wonder what’s going to happen next, or think about where you’re going to eat lunch.
Instead of disengaging mentally, emotionally, or spiritually, let me encourage you to continue to worship. What? How is that possible? No one else is singing.
Worship is much more than just singing. Worship is expressing our hearts and lives to God in humility and sacrifice. It is participating together in a variety of ways that build up the body and express our heart passion and thanksgiving to God for who He is and what He is doing. Worship can happen just as significantly in the unscripted moments as in the ones where something is planned. Not every moment of worship has to be organized.
So, what can you do when those “free” moments occur, musically or otherwise? I don’t want to tell you what you have to do, but let me offer some ideas that you could incorporate into your worship life.
- Consider and think about the words of the song being sung. These words are true expressions of the many aspects of God’s character. Is there a new concept in these words or a great reminder of who God is?
- Take the time to express adoration and praise to God in your own words. You can do so quietly in your heart or with a soft voice where you stand so as not to distract others.
- Continue to sing the words of the song. Allow them to be something you’re expressing not just because everyone else is, but because they are a true expression of your life toward God.
- Oftentimes in our church, there is a Scripture that relates to the theme of the song or that the song is based off of. Read the Scripture and allow it to speak to you about who God is and what’s being sung.
There are lots of ways to express worship together. Next time there is a break in the words and the music is playing, don’t disengage or think that those moments don’t matter. Continue to focus on worshiping the God of the Universe who created us and sent His Son to die for us so that we could have the freedom and privilege to enter into His presence. Continue to be in His presence and worship in those moments in a way that honors God and expresses your heart.
What do you do when the singing stops and the music keeps going?
Hello Chris! Don’t know how I’ve managed to only know stumble across your blog, but this is encouraging stuff. I’m on staff at St. Simons Community Church with Fred (of the Worship Community), and just read your latest post there, so I followed your link over. Keep writing – it’s great stuff!
Welcome! Thanks for coming by and for the encouragement.