I walked to my car disappointed.

I found myself wishing our church family was more engaged. More hands in the air. More passionate singing. More of an obvious, visible work of the Lord.

Our Measure of Success

My experience after a recent Sunday morning is something worship leaders everywhere struggle with. We’ve all enjoyed those worship services. You know the ones. A reckless abandon in praise. An unashamed adoration. Voices lifted high to the Lord.

For churches with a contemporary worship style, this type of visible response has become the goal. Success is measured in how many hands are raised, how many eyes are closed, how many knees are bent. In short, we measure in visible expressions.

A Better Measure?

But I want to push back on that type of thinking a little bit.

The Bible commands and instructs us to physically engage in worship with visible expression. But it’s important to remember that visible expression is not the only way we worship. I would suggest it’s not even the most important way we worship.

Jesus calls us to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.

When we worship through singing, dancing, kneeling, shouting or lifting our hands, we’re mostly worshiping God with our heart (and some strength). Our emotions are stirred toward the Lord. We lift up religious affections. We feel the joy of the Lord. We feel His smile toward us.

The reason I left this particular gathering a little disappointed was because we never quite reached this place of obvious, visible adoration. Through the lens of our contemporary worship movement, this could be seen as a failure.

Visible expressions are a part of our worship. But they’re just that – a part.

There is more.

Worship Listens

On this particular Sunday, we began by reading Psalm 146:1-9. The living, breathing, word of God was read loudly, clearly and unashamedly.

It didn’t have the energy of a driving drum beat. The flurry of a melodic hook. The subtle drone of an artfully crafted keyboard patch. But the word of God is more powerful and more beautiful than any of these things.

The word of God will endure forever.

The word of God is breathed from God Himself.

The word of God has the power to cut to our very soul.

Although it’s important to sing our words to God, it’s even more important for us to hear His words to us.

Worship Gives

We also recognized that giving financially is just as much an act of worship as singing a song. Perhaps even more so. Why? Because to worship something means to invest in it. To give yourself to it. To sacrifice. To pour yourself out even when it isn’t easy or convenient.

The words “I Surrender All” are easy to sing but very hard to live. Financial giving takes the songs we sing out of the theoretical and brings them into the practical. It puts weight behind our words. It demonstrates to the Lord that we mean what we say.

Now passing an offering bag doesn’t have the smoothness of a sly transition. Writing a check or punching an amount into an app doesn’t have the effortless ease of simply closing your eyes. The pang of letting money go when there is already so little to spare is in stark contrast to the pleasure of being swept away by a rich musical arrangement.

But is it possible that more genuine worship is happening in these moments of giving than in most moments of singing?

Worship Remembers

Psalm 105 tells us to “Remember His mighty deeds.”

I was homeschooled throughout my elementary years. As the fifth child, my mom had pretty much worked out her teaching methods by the time I came along. I would ask a question, desperately hoping for just a simple answer. That never happened. She would always reply with something like, “Do you remember what we learned last week?” Or “Write it out for yourself and see if you can find the answer.”

Hearing spoon-fed facts takes little effort. Remembering for ourselves requires more.

On this same Sunday, we received Communion. Communion gives us a special chance to remember. We remember that we were once lost in sin. We remember that God’s wrath was poured out on Christ instead of us.

It’s easy to listen to a worship leader sing, “It was my sin that held Him there…”. It’s a little harder to stop and consider the weight of your sin. Not just the idea of sin itself, but YOUR sin. The specific things that have separated you from God, to repent and receive mercy from the Father.

When this sinks in, reverential awe comes over our soul.

This awe isn’t often manifested in clapping, dancing or shouting. This internal work of the Spirit may not be immediately visible during the service. But it will soon be seen clearly when our lives begin to bear lasting fruit.

A New Measure Of Success

Reading Scripture, receiving an offering and taking Communion can be seen as disruptions. Obstacles impeding our precious “flow.” Bumps in the road that jolt people out of their eyes-closed, hands-raised, sonically induced state of serenity.

It’s a wonderful thing when hands are raised and voices are lifted, but ask yourself: Is this your measure of success?

What about a church family hearing and receiving the Word of God? Or a church family worshiping practically and sacrificially? Or a church family remembering God’s mighty works?

Now that sounds like a successful day to me.

How can we expect to hear the Holy Spirit when our lives are filled with constant noise?

If we would like to see the gifts of the spirit and the fruit of the spirit working in our lives then we must make a choice to turn down the noise. if we wish to hear the Holy Spirit lead and guide us, we must make the conscious, intentional choice to carve out time to be quiet and listen to Him.

Also, we must face every day, humbly willing to obey the leading of the Holy Spirit. We must put our will into submission to the Holy Spirit and commit to following His guidance.

Do you ever feel distant from the Lord?

Do you feel as though your prayers are not answered and you can’t hear Him speaking or see Him working in your life? I would suggest to you that this has more to do with your posture toward God than His posture toward you.

The Bible tells says in Matthew 10:29-31: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” The father is attentive to you. Psalm 139:4 tells us, “Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.” The Lord is watching you, listening to you, you are precious to Him; He attends to you. But, do you attend to Him? Do you reciprocate His attention? Does your life allow time for you to listen to His voice? Are you interested in what He has to say to you?

In the first two paragraphs, I mention two life choices that are imperative in order for us to hear from and be directed by the Holy Spirit. In the following paragraph, I will explain these choices in more detail.

Life can be noisy! I have a five-year-old and three-year-old twins. I am used to going through my days accompanied by a very loud soundtrack of requests, complaints of sibling injustices, outright tantrums and thankfully, boisterous fun and laughter, not to mention Peppa Pig or Paw Patrol blaring in the background. By the time the day is done, I feel as though all I have left is the ability to flop on the couch and watch some mindless TV.

But honestly, what does that profit me? In reality, it is only adding to the noise of my already noisy life. There is a God; His name is Jesus, and He is waiting for me to turn it down and come to Him. In Him is true rest and refreshment. In Him is the guidance of His Holy Spirit.

God tells us in Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” He also tells us in James 5:16, “The fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much.” Just the act of getting quiet before the Lord, asking Him for His guidance, inviting Him into the challenges of your life, shows our heart that is surrendered to God. Our time seeking God’s counsel shows we are willing to listen to Him and follow His lead.

1 Kings 19:11-12 tells us, “Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” The Lord whispered gently to Elijah; He did not roar at him in the wind, fire or earthquake, but in a still, small voice. My question to you: Is your life ever quiet enough to hear the whisper of the Lord?

He is speaking to you. Can you hear Him?

Choose to turn down the noise today, give room for God’s Holy Spirit to speak into your life. If your life is anything like mine, then you desperately need His comfort, guidance and wisdom on a daily basis. He is present; you need to be present too. That is the only way to have a close relationship with God.

Secondly, we must face every day consciously submitted to the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit. For example, the spirit makes the word come alive to us, revealing God’s truth, but if we choose not to obey God’s truth, then we are like the man in James 1:22-24: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” Hand in hand with hearing the leading and direction of the Spirit of God must be a commitment to obey.

The spirit prompts. He directs. He instructs us on a daily basis; are you willing to go and speak to that person He has put on your heart? Are you willing to pray for that person He is burdening you for? Are you willing to surrender your will to His calling, the calling that keeps knocking on your door? Are you willing to obey?

In Galatians 5, we are given a list of the fruit of the spirit and then in verse 25, the text says, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” What does it mean to be “in step” with the spirit? Well, it means to walk together. You cannot walk together if you are going in different directions. Are you “in step” with God’s Spirit that dwells in you? He wants to lead you. Are you willing to walk with Him, to go when He says go, to yield when He says yield, to serve when He says serve?

Jesus loves you. As many times as that statement is made, it will be true. Jesus died for you, for you! He knows every tiny part of you, every dark corner; He knows your shame, your anger. He loves you, He died for you. He made you righteous. I just want to encourage you to remember His goodness so you can be inspired to give Him your time. Turn down your noise, and humbly commit to following His lead. There is no downside. There is no downside. There is no downside.

Nothing compares to the greatness of God. Nothing is more mind-boggling than His infinite attention toward us. No other thing in your life can compare to knowing Him. Give Him your time. Give Him your obedience, and see how He will guide you as your Good Shepherd.

“Then they opened their treasure chests and gave Him gifts of gold…” (Matthew 2:11).

As the mysterious Eastern visitors arose from the floor, they dusted themselves off, straightened their robes and began presenting tokens or “treasures” of their adoration.

First came the gold, known as “the metal of kings.” Nearly every culture sees gold as the most precious of treasures. Economies and currencies are based on gold held on deposit by the king and his administration. There is no doubt this gift of gold was meant to acknowledge Jesus as king. Since these men saw Jesus as king, He needed to be honored with the treasure of a king.

The tender Christmas song asks, “What can I bring Him, poor as I am?” The truth is, no matter how poor we are, we must still honor Him as king, and the core commodity every humble subject must present to their king is their allegiance or loyalty.

We hear voices today insisting that we “Bow to no one; be true only to yourself.” That is a recipe for a diminished life. You were not made to be your own king.

Answer these questions: Did you create yourself? Did you assemble the environment in which you live, that provides the elements that keep you alive: air, water, food? Did you place the planet you live on in a precise orbit around the sun that provides warmth and nutrient for you? No? Then there is one to whom you and I owe allegiance…one to whom we must give our “gold” of honor and surrender. That would be Jesus, “through whom all things that were made” (John 1:1-3). That is your king. Crown Him with gold.

“And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother and fell down and worshiped Him” (Matthew 2:11).

The Magi did what they told Herod they’d come to do. They had not come to worship him, the old king. They had come to worship the “New King.” So when they saw Jesus, they fell down before Him in adoration. They worshiped Him as God and King.

Everyone knows about the gifts they brought, but before they presented gold, frankincense and myrrh, they gave something more meaningful, costly and significant. Honestly, any gift, offering or sacrifice which comes without this, is, to say the least, incomplete and perhaps unacceptable. What did they give first? THEMSELVES!

Perhaps you’ve heard someone say “Christianity isn’t about religion; it’s about relationship.” What’s the difference? Religion can be defined in terms of ritual, ceremony, schedules, symbols and liturgies filled with memorized prayers. But our hearts long for far more. We were created to truly know God as Father, Savior and Friend, and all of that begins with relationship the moment we present ourselves to God.

Oh, easier to toss a coin in an offering box, recite “Our Father” and kneel-sit-stand at just the right time. Too many settle for that ritual. But others won’t be satisfied with anything short of the personal surrender of themselves as a “living sacrifice” to God (Romans 12:1). It’s far more costly than a bag of gold, but that’s where life with God begins.

King David refused to present an offering to God that costed him nothing (2 Samuel 24:24).

God receives the surrender of our will, heart, hopes, like the true treasure it is. It is the very treasure Jesus came searching for.

What will you give Jesus? Start by giving Him YOU.

The idea of surrender, most commonly, has negative connotations. We think of armies and nations that have surrendered in wars; they saw that they were defeated by the victors, and so they gave up, admitted defeat and surrendered to their conquerors.

None of that sounds great! We generally don’t walk around thinking, “Oh, I hope I am defeated today – so that I can surrender.” But in the Christian context, surrender is the most wonderful position to find yourself in, because in our case, the victor is also our Savior.

To live our lives in a posture of surrender to God is a glorious freedom.

We must come to the place where we “give up,” where we finally admit that we cannot do it on our own, that we cannot meet God’s standard. As we read in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” This causes us to see our need for Jesus to be our Savior. It is in this moment of “defeat” that we surrender to our Savior, and in that glorious moment, we realize Jesus has not won victory over us, but He has won victory for us. He is not our conqueror; He is our Savior. Indeed, Jesus surrendered all so that He could be our Savior. He surrendered His power and glory to come to the earth as a baby. The Bible tells us that Jesus, “Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:6-7). He surrendered His very life on the cross to take the penalty for our sin, so that one day we could willingly surrender to Him, to be adopted into His family and gain access to the throne of God. What a wonderful victory Jesus won for us; what a joy to fully surrender our lives to His great love and salvation.

The reality of surrender, however, is something that continues to resurface during different times in our lives. Our ultimate surrender comes in our decision to receive Christ as our Savior, however, as we go through life, there will continually be moments and seasons where we will need to surrender once again to the will of God. This may come in the form of a call of God you feel that you are resisting, a relationship you feel God is calling you to surrender, career, future plans, friendships, whatever it may be, I would encourage you to stop resisting God and once again surrender your will to His, just as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane, when He said to the father, “Father if you are willing take this cup from me, but not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). With those words, Jesus willingly laid down His life for you, and bearing this great truth in mind, I encourage you to willingly surrender every aspect of your life again to the God who loves you, has the best for you and who has already surrendered everything for you.

You surrendered all,
You surrendered all,
All for me, my blessed Saviour,
You surrendered all.
And because the Lord did surrender all for us, everyday we say;
I surrender all,
I surrender all
All for thee my blessed Saviour,
I surrender all.

There doesn’t need to be any fear in surrendering to the God who loves us and wants the best for us.

We are not surrendering to a mean or capricious God. Even though sometimes there can be a sense of disquiet in trusting God in the things He has called us to. We must remember that in being obedient to Him, we will see His absolute best for us come to life. He only has good for us. “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

There is freedom in surrender to God. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free (Galatians 5:1). In fact, true freedom is only found in surrender to God. Nothing else can make us free, but the Bible tells us that, “Whom the Son sets free is free indeed” (John 8:36). Therefore, let us surrender fully to Jesus and let us stay surrendered to Him. Let us always remember that He surrendered all for us, and that through His sacrifice, He won us a victory we could never have gained on our own. He gave everything for us, so let’s hold our lives lightly, not grasping desperately to things we feel we cannot do without; let’s instead, live in a continual posture of surrender, finding peace in the fact that we are being held in the mighty hand of a loving God.