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More than a Song

You may face the same tension I live.


How much do we work on getting the song right, and how much to we work on getting my heart/spirit/soul in the right posture?


I think of Bob Kauflin's challenging words: "Don't practice 'til you get it right; practice 'til you can't get it wrong." Well, I know Bob, and he's immensely talented. Like... off the charts. But when I sit at the piano, even after hours of practice, there's a chance I'll get it wrong; I'm simply not a great pianist. And then there are the folks in my churchpart of the worship team, the choir, the mini-orchestra. We can practice on our own, rehearse together, get it right 3 times in a row, and then still mess up.


So where's the solution?


Maybe my mom had the answer. When I was a teenager and college student, her challenge was always (and I mean ALWAYS) to "pray more than you practice." There was a time I didn't practice much, so that was easy. Then I got to where I was practicing for a few hours every day and it got hard.


Bob is a big-time mentor in my life. My mom was a spiritual (and familial) hero to me.


But I wonder if there isn't a third option.


I want to know the song so well that it's in my bones. I don't have to remember how the melody goes, or the bass part, or the chord progression. But sometimes there are other priorities. So I've learned to do three things that may help you too:

  1. Listen. A lot. Listen to the recording that's most like the recording you’ll do in a service or event. Listen to other recordings to compare and contrast. (Not academically, but experientially) Watch a video or two... or five. Pay attention when you hear other groups do the song live. Listen while looking at the music. Listen while working. Listen while driving.

  2. Sit in the presence of Jesus. A lot. Rather than squeezing in a quick devotional time, build your life around your time of scripture, devotional, and prayer. I spent the majority of my adult life, and career as a worship pastor, sitting in the presence of Jesus a little. Very little. But over the last 6-8 years a rather significant transition has taken place. Heard of the term "opportunity cost?" Yeah, it makes me sick to think of what I've missed out on by being terrible at this for the first 40 years of my Christian journey.

  3. Trust the Holy Spirit. A lot. After you listen, learn, pray, read, listen some more, practice on your own, practice with the group, trust your preparation. The song is ready. Your soul will be ready. Your technology will be ready. And when you are prepared in all of the right ways, the only thing you have yet to do is trust that the Holy Spirit will be your Guide and Advocate.


So, as we sing in "The Heart of Worship," bring a song. Bring the best you can bring, really. Not the best while still spending what the average adult in America spends on social media (nearly 2 1/2 hours). Not the best while still spending the average of nearly 5 hours a day watching TV. (Did you do that math? That's more than 7 hours a day between the two!) Be above average. Live a supernatural life, not a natural one. Set up your time so that you can do the best you can do.


And then do what Matt Redman encouraged us to do nearly 30 years ago in that timeless song, bring more than a song. Never less than a song; more. Bring your heart's affection; all of it. Bring your mind's attention; all of it. Bring your soul's engagement; undivided. Bring your body; every breath, every muscle, every ounce of energy.


I suspect when we do that, something dramatic will happen. And I can't wait to hear all about it!

 
 
 

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