One of the most potentially gifted worship leaders I’ve ever met struggles with addiction. He lives in Houston, TX, and was a part of a worship ministry that I used to lead. He regularly attends AA meetings, and wishes he didn’t smoke so much. He loves sweets and caffeine, and laments that, too. He spends most of his days burdened so heavily by the things that he doesn’t like about himself that he talks himself into a dizzying state of guilt – one which he believes causes God to not love him.
I believe that God is going to use him in ways that he doesn’t even fully realize yet. I spent time praying for this individual today, and it dawned on me how critical we can be as humans, especially those of us who are saved. We tend to look down on anyone who struggles with the things that we have under control. I don’t crave a drink every day, but I’m tempted with my own traps every day. This worship leader that I’m talking about is one of the most honest, genuine people I’ve ever met. We have chosen to not beat each other up over our shortcomings, we just love on each other, and encourage each other as worshippers and leaders of worship. It doesn’t mean we ignore each other’s shortcomings, but it means that we admit them to each other, and hold each other accountable in them.
Here’s a bit of truth for anyone who lives the life that Christ died for… God loves you unconditionally, and you might be surprised at how He chooses to use your weaknesses to show His strength!
A few years ago, Pastor Dave Browning gave a message called “A State of Grace”. He compared our relationship to God like being at the bottom of a ladder, with God being at the top. Dave said that we are all climbing to get to God, and that some will be able to climb higher than others, but that no one can get all the way to the top. He said that no matter how high we get, God still has to climb down towards us so that we can be touched by Him. He then said that we tend to focus on being better ladder climbers, when we should rather enjoy that God climbs our way, and spend our time dwelling on that.
I realize that I’m not conveying the message that he gave to you very well, but it was an incredible lesson, and one that is affecting my worship life in a big way (even though it’s now five years later). I’ve been taught all of my life that God wants me to be a strong Christian. As I grow in the Word, though, I’m learning that the source of strength in me is not supposed to be my own – it’s God’s. He uses my weakness because it is in that weakness that He is strong. God uses in my strengths, but the Bible reminds me that He’s strong in my weakness.
I grew up thinking that God had things for me to do out requirement, but instead, I’m learning to do them out of love in response to His grace, and I pray that you will, too.
Great reminder. I’ve used a similar analogy before. It’s so helpful to have perspective. Thanks for writing this Sam.
Sam — Thank you for that message and relaying that analogy. I have problems with addiction and weakness, and I can never seem to find God — well, only rarely. It feels like I am so unworthy that it’s just not worth trying most of the time, and when I am worshipping is when I am most defeated. But the ladder analogy helps some. Thanks.
Frank,
Go to the forum (www.developingworship.com/forum or click on “connect” at the top of this screen) and post this in “The Living Room”. You’ll have lots of people praying for you, it sounds like you could use the encouragement.
Here’s another take on the ladder analogy: http://www.wineskins.org/filter.asp?SID=2&fi_key=202&co_key=1695. I think our focus should be the cross, not a ladder we can somehow climb on our own (even a few rungs!), because - let’s face it - we all stink at behavior modification. Christ on the cross, suspended between heaven and earth, connects God and man uniquely. Get right down to it, it’s really, really hard to accept that grace and forgiveness. But it’s easier than just feeling guilty and powerless and failed and too worthless for God to love all the time.
There is no sin - no addiction; no weakness - that the cross cannot obliterate.
There is no soul that God cannot touch through the love shown there.
There is no life that cannot be changed by His grace.
Keith,
I agree that we should be all about the Cross. The only reason why a ladder is even mentioned is because it’s a great example of God coming DOWN to us.
You’re right, though - pride gets in the way of accepting forgiveness.
Our fellowship has been learning lately that the Church generally has an “orphan” way of thinking about ourselves, instead of truly seeing ourselves as sons of the King. We seem to focus our lives on climbing the ladder, trying vainly to reach God, not recognizing that we’ve already been adopted as His eternal sons, endowed with all the rights, privileges and riches of His Kingdom. There is so MUCH we can lay claim to, right here, right now, if we stop focusing on improving ourselves, becoming perfect in our own eyes, and instead relax in His arms, let Him love on us, and let His Holy Spirit do work in our hearts which we can never do. We can’t change us - but He can.
Sam,
Thanks. I have been struggling here in Africa lately and this really ministered to me where I am at. God can and will meet me here and can use my weaknesses for his glory.
sam,
i am a praise and worship leader here in our church in manila, i want to ask some personal questions.. how do i email it to you?
Jean,
You can email me at sam@developingworship.com.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Sam