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"Do not look for a man who is able to do great things for God. Rather, seek (without ceasing) for the God who is (more than) able to work great things THROUGH man."
Melissa Cheah - January 26th, 2011.
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"Slay the desire to be noticed, stir the desire to serve God. Don't make a theater production out of your faith."
Max Lucado
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I love this quote by Max Lucado (I love, love, love his books!) because of the truth in it.
I’ve said it over and over, WHO and WHAT we desire for in worship is imperative. It is crucial, it is the essence of worship. Not great songs (lovely as they are), not musical perfection, not flawless vocal pitching.
If we were to let songs, music and vocals consume us, it will only lead to a sing-along. A musical production. That isn’t worship.
When I started worship leading, I concentrated on those details because I had the impression that it would reflect on me as a worship leader, either excellent or otherwise.
I have learned over the years that as much as I love focusing on bringing a (well-rehearsed) joyful sound when I lead worship, my most treasured and memorable worship moments experienced were far from perfect and orchestrated.
Make no mistake, I believe in bringing excellence to the House of God.
However, self-glory and desire to see God being glorified in the praises of His people cannot co-exist. He must increase, we MUST decrease.
It is something that we (worship leaders) have to remember every single time we step on the platform and do what we do.
The focus is not on what we are able to do, what the people’s common needs are. JESUS must be our focus, to lift up His name above all else must be our goal.
This is how I see it.
When I lead worship, it is to draw the people away from what they are ‘feeling’ or going through. (When God is magnified, circumstances of life do not engulf us anymore. Worship is not a time to focus on OUR needs and for God to meet them, and because of that, we worship. We worship Him for who He is, not for what He can do.)
It is to captivate their hearts and eyes of understanding with His beauty.
To be mesmerised with the silhouette of The Cross standing erect on the hill of Golgotha, against the evening sky. To savour that image, that ‘wondrous cross’ as the song says.
And then, to look a little closer to The Person nailed The Cross. Look into His eyes, His gaze is brimming with love (not the slightest bit of anger or hatred in them), despite of the blood trickling down His face.
Trace your eyes down further and look at His battered body that endured heavy blows and piercing whippings.
Don’t stop there. Go on further.
Examine His beautiful feet. The feet that Mary had poured perfume on and covered with her tears. There’s a nail driven through those feet. They’re bloody (not only because of the nail but from the walk up the treacherous hill, carrying a cross on His back) and dusty.
2000 years and counting, I see that through the passages of time and still shed tears. (As I am writing this, tears are pooling in my eyes.)
I worship because of that.
I lead worship to bring the people into that Holy Place, to fill their eyes with the vision of The Cross because there is nothing more deserving, none other more worthy.
I pray that your devotion will be to His song, for His heartbeat to resound in all that you do.
Much love,
Melissa.
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Related post(s):
I know that I may not be the best friend in the whole wide world, but I do have the best friends on the planet. Really.
Just check out some of the touching accounts here, here, here and here.
I received an in-advance farewell gift today.
And, to find a lovely card coming along with it. (I love handwritten sentiments.)
Dearest Deriss,
This is the best way (I know how) to show my appreciation to you for your thoughtfulness and love. We will not get to hang out as often, but I am sure I will make time whenever we're both around. Thank you for the years of love, care and precious friendship.
P/S: I love the gift's bright splash of colour.
Love you,
Melissa.
P/S: The liquid in the wine glass isn't wine (Wine is reserved for special occasions, not an accompaniment to a mid-day meal), it is Marks and Spencer's Cranberry and Raspberry juice.
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"Tears are words of the heart that the mouth know not express."
Melissa Cheah - January 10th, 2011.
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I am anticipating what 2011 holds.
As I was doing my quiet time, deep within me, I am secured on this: 2011 is a year of the Sovereign Lord's favour. It is the year of unfolding glorious plans and unravelling His destiny for our lives.
That said, there are bittersweet emotions bubbling within me.
Change is not easy.
Change is not easy when you’re comfortable where you’re at. Change causes heartache when you take into consideration leaving your loved ones for prolonged period of time. Change is heartbreaking when you are torn between education and current ministry.
Change doesn’t come across as that fun anymore.
At a point in my life, I wanted change. I felt that my life was stagnant. All I was doing became a routine. Life felt staid.
Now that Change has come along the way, weaved itself (seamlessly) into my Life’s quilt, I resent it.
I hate the mixed feelings that keep me up at night. I resent the tears that trickle down my pillow when I try to picture leaving.
Night after night, I’ve poured out my heart to the Keeper of my Heart. Sometimes like a spoilt brat, other times with resentment, followed by tears.
My line in the fourth paragraph of this entry is not complete. I said this, “Change is not easy", BUT Change is essential for building, growing and rooting.
Favour, Destiny and Growth - Over and over again, I feel this in my Spirit.
My will, personally, is to not go.
When I look around at all that is surrounding me, Reluctance pulls me back and envelopes me with Familiarity. Comfort stands pretty close by as well, lending a helping hand to Familiarity.
But when I look at His face for His will, He says “Go”.
Just that - two alphabets, one syllable word, “Go”.
As I was doing my quiet time, deep within me, I am secured on this: 2011 is a year of the Sovereign Lord's favour. It is the year of unfolding glorious plans and unravelling His destiny for our lives.
That said, there are bittersweet emotions bubbling within me.
Change is not easy.
Change is not easy when you’re comfortable where you’re at. Change causes heartache when you take into consideration leaving your loved ones for prolonged period of time. Change is heartbreaking when you are torn between education and current ministry.
Change doesn’t come across as that fun anymore.
At a point in my life, I wanted change. I felt that my life was stagnant. All I was doing became a routine. Life felt staid.
Now that Change has come along the way, weaved itself (seamlessly) into my Life’s quilt, I resent it.
I hate the mixed feelings that keep me up at night. I resent the tears that trickle down my pillow when I try to picture leaving.
Night after night, I’ve poured out my heart to the Keeper of my Heart. Sometimes like a spoilt brat, other times with resentment, followed by tears.
My line in the fourth paragraph of this entry is not complete. I said this, “Change is not easy", BUT Change is essential for building, growing and rooting.
Favour, Destiny and Growth - Over and over again, I feel this in my Spirit.
My will, personally, is to not go.
When I look around at all that is surrounding me, Reluctance pulls me back and envelopes me with Familiarity. Comfort stands pretty close by as well, lending a helping hand to Familiarity.
But when I look at His face for His will, He says “Go”.
Just that - two alphabets, one syllable word, “Go”.
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Father, my lack of understanding does not equal You not knowing. In Your good, pleasing and perfect will, I trust. I love You.
Christmas has come and gone, it is already 2011 (I know it is cliche to say this, but oh, how quickly time flies!).
I've decided to begin 2011 embracing the simple (and finer) things in life - To enjoy laughing out loud a little more and doing it more often, to not sweat on the small stuff but look at the bigger picture.
In short, simple pleasures in life.
I still feel a little hesitant to be done with my Christmas header
but here's a new one to suit the titled post.
Pancakes! (The original post can be found {here}).
Here's to wishing you a Blessed 2011!
Love and blessings,
Melissa.
To my parentals (more affectionately known as Daddy and Mummy),
Wishing you a Happy and Blessed 23rd Anniversary!
You have shown me the greatest example of walking in the will of God through your marriage. I know that the both of you will only grow more and more in love with each other in the years to come.
I honour and love you both so much.
SO proud to call the both of you my parents,
Melissa.
P/S: This is my first post for 2011, and it is dedicated to my parents. What an awesome way to start a brand new year!
