More than a Song - The Wesleyan Church

And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown. (Lev. 9:24)

The first time I was able to lead worship in my church’s main sanctuary was during a team night for my church’s worship ministry participants. As I got on the platform for a sound check, I muttered the words, “Wow, I’ve never performed on this stage before.” I’ve always been a performer, being highly involved in both theater and choir, but it was not until I was called out for what I had said in that moment that I realized the performer in me had taken over the worshiper in me. I realized that my worship to God was plagued with thoughts of performance, putting on a show for my peers, both on the platform and in the congregation. My heart was on myself, not on God.

Worship is not about glorifying ourselves; worship is about glorifying God. The purpose of worship is to give God everything we have, to sacrifice ourselves and the things we hold dear. To worship is to offer ourselves to God that we might be changed. Examine your own worship. Who is receiving the glory when you worship? Is it a performance, or is it true worship? Only through true worship will the mighty presence of God appear. Only through true worship will your life be changed. If the presence of God is not your focus during worship, have you truly worshiped?

Choose to completely glorify God through your worship.

Ethan Zent is a Kingswood University graduate and Wesleyan worship pastor at Follow Church in South Carolina. He enjoys exploring the great outdoors and thrifting with his wife Kellie.