Playing With Excellence, Part 1: Why?

People don't need awesome music to worship.  In fact, they don't need music at all.  But, if a church is offering a musical element as part of a worship service, it should be done with excellence, and here's why.

Psalm 33:2-3 tells us to play our instruments, whatever they may be, with skill unto the Lord.  Be it a trumpet, lyre, keytar, or voice, we're to offer these tools with excellence.  Take a look at the context of this command in the Psalm.  We're not stepping up our game in order to sound good, make a name for ourselves, or receive accolades, but because God is faithful and full of love.  It's in response to His goodness and power that we play anything, and it is all expressed with joy and skill.

Not only is our playing a response to who God is, but also who God made us to be.  Our Creator has made us with unique abilities and passions (Psalm 139:13-16).  Our Savior has infused us with unique gifts and empowerment (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).  God has graciously given us a mission, according to His vision and plan for us, and has gifted us according to that purpose (Romans 12:6-8), so that we can enjoy the journey of living it out!

My last point here is on behalf of those we are hoping to lead in worship.  Sure, they don't need us.  But if we are involving ourselves in an authentic connection between them and God, we've gotta take that seriously.  We have to decide if we're just selfishly making noise, or selflessly supporting true worship (1 Corinthians 13:1).  We play with excellence because we truly love the people we serve.  We sincerely care for their souls as they come to seek the Lord, and want to do whatever we can to invite that connection to happen.

In my next post, I'll talk a bit more about how to make sure we are honoring the gifts God has given us.