Let’s talk about vulnerable worship.

Dear B Squad,

 

Let’s talk about vulnerable worship.

I took a creative writing class in high school and my teacher had us re-write a passage of Scripture in iambic pentameter (that form of poetry Shakespeare primarily wrote). I chose Mary’s song in Luke 1;

she went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, and when she greeted her, “the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit…”  

Immediately after this encounter, Mary bursts into song: 

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for he has looked upon the humble estate of his servant.” (Luke 1:46-47)

My teacher, a proponent of vulnerability and authenticity, had us read our poetry out loud in front of the class.

I cried reading mine. Naturally.

They weren’t tears of empathy, or tears of joy even; I cried because I was able to take something so natural, so vulnerable, so beautiful – her response to God’s goodness to her – and put it into a structure so it could be shared.

B Squad, remember our first debrief?

When we worshiped together that week we took something natural, vulnerable and beautiful – our response to God’s goodness to us – and we put it into a structure so it could be shared.

We brought what we had; guitars and ukuleles and open hearts and pure voices. We weren’t practiced and polished. We weren’t even confident. 

 But we were real. 

There’s something about entering into vulnerable, responsive, wholehearted worship that brings tears to my eyes. My heart was moved when I entered into Mary’s worship and it was moved when I entered into yours, too.

You show me what it looks like to respond to the Lord in a vulnerable moment and to share that moment with others.

You teach me what it means to come to the Lord as I am. 

You remind me every day that I don’t have to come to the Lord with something practiced and polished, as long as I’m bringing something real. 

 

So, last weekend I bought a guitar.

I don’t know how to play, but I play every day.

I play because I want to come to the Lord with something natural, vulnerable, and beautiful. I play because I want to respond to the Lord, put it into some sort of rhythmic structure, and share it with you like you’ve shared yours with me.

Trust me, it’s not practiced or polished! But it’s real.

I am equal parts encouraged and challenged by your vulnerable worship. 

Let’s stay humble, let’s be authentic, and let’s share our worship every chance we get.

“Through him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 13:15-16)