Chapter 2: Walking in God's Grace

Sometimes in our lives, we may feel that we are unworthy of leading worship. After all, we are not perfect. We are sinners and we fall, so how are we supposed to lead others in worship to an almighty and perfect Father? In this chapter, Kraeuter reminds us of the power of salvation. If we were able to live sin-free on our own, then Jesus' death would serve no purpose. Jesus died so that we could actually be completely forgiven by God. This is all nice to say, but to believe this would radically change the way we see ourselves. We. Are. Perfect. In. God's. Grace.

If you read my last post, you would see that this is especially relative in my life right now. Since making my last post, I have found God again and I am once again trusting in him as I have in the past. It feels really good to be able to break away from the world and trust in God. I know that I will continue to fail and make mistakes, but I need to remember that he forgives me every day and I am worthy.

This chapter reminded me of the song Prodigal by Sidewalk Prophets. The chorus of this song is "come running like a prodigal" and it makes me picture myself running back to God knowing that I will be accepted and embraced by him despite my sins. This is our salvation. This is the gospel. And it is the best thing out there. As worship leaders, we need to remember that we are truly and fully forgiven and, by the grace of God, we CAN lead others in worship.

Chapter 1: Maintaining a Strong Relationship w/ the Lord

After reading the first chapter of our book of the year, I think I have discovered that lately my heart has not exactly been in the right place to lead worship. I relate to the narrator a lot in that I feel as if I've been going through the motions and techniques of worship while I have been missing a heart full of love for God. I also relate in that I feel that my most of my quality time that I have with God is when I'm leading worship and I should really be looking to spend time to develop my relationship with him further. Recently, I've been trying to turn my attitude around and remind myself of how incredible it is that the creator of the world loves me. This morning in my physics class, Ms. Tucker reiterated this and I was remind of the love God has for me. I think I am on my way back on the right track where I am worshiping God not soley because I want to lead people to him, but I am worshiping him because he is deserving of worship. I worship him because I want him to know how much I love him back.

My favorite part of this chapter then, was when the narrator mentioned how the majority of his quality time with God was only during worship because I relate to that. I am working on that, though. I want to develop my relationship with him further, even outside of worship leading.