It's not about the "Sword" vs the "Sling"

It's so tempting to mimic the professionals, even back in David's time when facing Goliath. With high stakes, Saul offered his top-notch armor, but David relied on his experience and faith in God. It's so tempting to try to appear up to the task by adopting a professional facade.

We might enjoy cooking, but when we are about to host a larger dinner party, we may doubt ourselves and order in or buy semi-prepared meals. Dining together is not just about satisfying our physical hunger—it's about connection and sharing a home-cooked meal. If it's just about satisfying our physical hunger, ordering in is efficient and satisfactory. 

If you want a more profound, emotional, and even spiritual connection, a home-cooked meal prepared with love and intention is the better choice.

In worship, when the stakes are high and the gathering is significant, I find my focus quickly shifts to looking and sounding professional. I want every element to be strong and supportive of the congregation. For example, using Multitracks will help us fill out the sound. I use them, but sometimes, I'm pretty close to doing a karaoke version of the song.

As worship leaders, our role is to unite the congregation's ministry to the Lord. We must also participate in this ministry ourselves. Are we relying too much on the "machinery" that makes us look good, instead of carrying the Ark of the Lord on our shoulders as priests?

What is success? Is it edible food on a table? Is it good music, full sound and impressive production? Is it professional or personal? 

That's the issue. Is our worship professional or personal? Is it take-out or home-cooked? Is it Saul's professional sword or David's personal sling?

How tempting it must have been to go out to face Goliath looking like a warrior and having the best resources to give him the best chance. I may not have walked away from those assets. But David chose his heart and history with God. He led with his personal friendship over the professional resources.

If David had used a sword and armor against the lion and bear, he would have been comfortable using them against Goliath. So it's not about sword vs. sling, but rather personal vs. professionalism.

When we lack that personal history or don't think we're up to the task, we may try to buy our way into appearing professional—to close that gap. But in the end, we all lose when we prioritize professional over personal with God. 

At first glance, it may not seem like it, but we all lose and become enslaved to the giant of professional worship we want to slay.

So, is being professional and excellent wrong? NO! Only when it's not personal. Only when it gets in the way of personal. You can be a world-class chef and make a great home-cooked meal. Use your professional skills - but always make it personal. 

Have a great week!