34
The opening band for Chris Tomlin was Israel Houghton and New Breed. I’ve never heard of them before, but apparently he writes a lot of the worship songs that other contemporary artists are singing. During their 30 minute set, they performed a song written several years ago that I was never particularly fond of. The lyrics in the chorus say, “I am a friend of God, I am a friend of God, I am a friend of God – He calls me friend.” Despite my nonchalance toward the song itself, the worship experience being created was spectacular. The instruments and vocals swelling from the stage were rich and compelling, the colorful swirling lights sparkled across the audience’s faces, and the voices of the thousands surrounding me lifted my heart.
Then in the eye of my imagination, I could suddenly see another stage suspended in the air parallel with the physical one before me….only this stage was that of my church. The lights spilling from our tiny par cans illuminated the upturned faces of our musicians and vocalists. And there I was, leading our team, leading our congregation, in a worship experience not so different from the one I was standing in. It was just this morning after all. The words of the chorus being sung broke through again, piercing my ears and spirit…. “I am a friend of God, He calls me friend….”
It was as if our Father was reaching out His great right hand and grabbing hold of the hand of the man (Israel) standing with a guitar on the enormous stage in front of 5,000, and reaching His left over to me, tightly gripping my hand as I stood behind my keyboards on our tiny stage in front of 50. I could almost see Him looking to His right saying gently, “Israel, I call you friend,” and looking to His left saying, “Joy, I call you friend.”
In the eye of the world, these comparisons are ridiculous. Laughable even. Comparing my unskilled, inexperienced self to a man of stature and fame; comparing our small rented building with so many empty seats to this incredible theatre with thousands of seats overflowing; comparing the glitz and glamour of the lights, fog, live video, to the glaring fluorescent lights and rough grey carpet of our stage…yet in the eye of the Father I suddenly saw the truth. There is no comparison. I don’t mean the way this phrase is typically used, as a means to define how exceedingly great the difference is between two things, but as literal words – no comparison exists in His eyes.
He was crying, His lip trembling (not so different from my own by this point!), His heart touched to the depth by our worship. And the service of faithful worship leaders across the world became yet another layer before my eyes….worship leaders around the world, grasping spiritual hands with each other, circling the globe with worship, humbly leading their congregations, singing their passions and pledging their lives, giving themselves up to the greatest purpose of our lives – intimately loving our Lord Jesus Christ.
Worship. Stepping into the presence of our Maker. Passionately adoring our greatest Lover. We have no higher calling as human creations. And can there be a greater honor than facilitating those moments for others? No matter our skill, experience, stature, no matter the number listening to our humble music…if we have offered our hearts to Him, if we have provided a place for others to do the same, we are His friends. I am His friend. He calls me friend.
Music that is moving me tonight:
Chris Tomlin – I Will Rise
There’s a peace I’ve come to know, though my heart and flesh may fail, Jesus has overcome, victory is won, and I will rise when He calls my name, no more sorrow, no more pain, I will rise on eagle’s wings before my God fall on my knees and rise, I will rise
Music that is moving me in the last few weeks:
Shane & Shane – Yearn
Lord I wanna yearn for You, I wanna burn with passion over You, don’t leave, Lord, I wanna yearn
Shane & Shane – Be Near
Be near oh God, be near oh God above, Your nearness is to us our good, my good
