First Worshippers

There is something about anticipation.  There is something about the waiting, the guessing, the planning.  Sometimes what we remember most about a memory is what led up to that moment. As a child I remember counting down to Christmas. As a teenager I remember the car ride into Chicago to see my first musical. As a young woman I anticipated my engagement, my wedding. Seven years ago I waited anxiously for my baby girl to be born. There is a preparation that happens in the anticipation that is like no other.

I needed that nine months to prepare my heart to be a first time mother. Part of me (well, all of me) just wanted that baby to be BORN! I remember walking laps around Wal-Mart just willing her to come early. I was aching for the moment I could see her precious face the first time. It was that sweet preparation, imagining and hoping that made the final moment so much sweeter.

As worshippers, we need to be anticipating. Sunday morning before church is our pre-game time. The anticipation and prayer time is what leads to the movement of the Spirit because our hearts are ready. We have already cleared the muck out of our brains and hearts by concentrating on Him.

So how do we anticipate? On Sunday morning in our house, the only music played is worship.  It is a common thread and our daughter knows nothing more is allowed before church. Not because what she might listen to or watch would be inappropriate, but because we are preparing our hearts. This often starts the night before in our choices. I know life is crazy, so my heart needs to be prepared. In the car, we often quote scripture or talk about how God is working. It doesn’t need to be over planned, but it is important to quiet our hearts before God and focus on Him.

When we anticipate something, it is because we are overflowing with excitement for the outcome. It often breaks my heart that everything else besides church and our Father make us more excited. We anticipate vacations and holidays, new purchases, sporting events, but it is difficult to hunger for a movement of God that will change lives.

The responsibility of a First Worshipper, or anyone leading the congregation in worship, or frankly, anyone worshipping at all, is not only to anticipate and prepare his or her heart, but to live in the overflow, leading others in that worship. This should be evident by an outpouring of worship. Now, I’m not asking anyone to be someone he or she is not, but there is a First Worshipper responsibility to lead in ways the congregation is not required. Our choices give freedom to others. Whether it is merely a smile or a raise of the hand, we should always be conscious of the message we are portraying.

Is our God really the eternal Savior who has saved us from forever being lost? And if He is, isn’t that something to ring out to the heavens? However you normally respond to an exciting event should be the first reaction you have in this situation. It is the first response you give as a First Worshipper.

Our faces tell a story. Our eyes shine truth. Our mouths sing out our songs. But the words we sing are not always the evident testimonies of our lives. Maybe we really do mean the words, but how is the congregation supposed to know? How are they supposed to identify with us as worshippers and WANT WHAT WE HAVE? That is really the key. God has given us the gift of being a First Worshipper. Those are the people that step foot in His church as leaders in praise. That gift is precious, because through our praise, others will connect with our stories and long to tell their own.

This cannot be done with heads buried in music or fiddling with paper. This cannot be done with faces drawn of emotion and a lack of smiles on faces. This cannot be done with resistant bodies and stiff arms.

Our bodies, heads, smiles, eyes, tell the stories our voices cannot. Not all of our congregation will ever hear your deliverance from substance or your miracle of healing, but they will watch your face when you sing and they will know what a mighty God you serve.

We are His First Worshippers. And we owe Him the praise and honor that is worthy of a God who has made it possible for us to worship at all.