More than the best guitar we could buy, more than the top of the drumkit, more than the most boutique amp…..as a musician playing worship music, there are FAR more important things to have in order to be the best musician and the best worshipper you can be. I would focus hard on these things and never lose sight of what you are doing, why you are doing it, and who you doing it for. So here’s another “strive” list in order to gear up to be great worship musicians.
- Worship with all of your heart. You are a musician who plays for God! Just that statement alone should empower you to
- Always be in prayer. Make it a personal goal to always be in a sense of prayer…all day long…every single day. Too many people forget about God all day, but still ask Him to remember them at night. Make God part of the little stuff. “Father, as I type this, please show me what to type so that other musicians can focus more on You and lift You up!” Never put that conversation with God on hold. Talk to Him as your driving. Talk to Him while your watching TV. Talk to Him while your surfing the internet. I bet you’ll find it harder to be tempted to cut someone off driving, or watch something on TV that you shouldn’t be, or looking at websites you shouldn’t be if you’re in constant communication with our Creator.
- Listen to God. Make sure that you are not only talking to God, but listening to Him. Make time to sit in silence and just listen to God. You have a direct connection to the Creator of the universe, the Savior of the world. And He loves you, and wants to talk to you. Listen to Him.
- Read your bible like crazy. Or like Lee McDerment says it, “Read your bible like it’s your job.” The Bible is our direct connection to God, our love letter from Him to us. Live the word of God in and through everything you do.
- It’s NOT about you. When you are standing on the stage leading worship, the best thing you can do is to know and remind yourself often that it has NOTHING to do with you. It’s not about how great of a player you are or how cool you look in your clothes from Heritage or H&M. It’s all about worshiping the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Almighty!
- It’s NOT about money. Nothing irritates me more than a musician who won’t play unless they are getting paid for it. Especially the musicians out there calling playing worship music their “job” while they are in college. There’s no way possible for it to be your “job” once you are married and have kids. It’s not about money. Offer what God has given you up to HIM! Not your wallet.
- Stretch someone. You have a gift. God has blessed you with that gift. Share it with someone. Teach them. Find someone younger than you to pour into and teach them the ropes. Mentor them. Be a Paul to a Timothy.
- Be stretched by someone. Learn from someone better than you. Whether your swollen ego musician head will admit it or not, you are NOT the best at what you do. Find someone better than you and learn from them. Be mentored by them. Be a Timothy.
- Go to concerts. See what others are doing. Listen to how they mix in with the band. Find out what gear they are using. See how they act and move on stage.
- Listen to a lot of music. Be inspired by others. Listen to a lot of music and in different styles. Music is such a wide and unending range of creativity. Listen to as much as you can.
- Practice as often as possible. You can never stop getting better. Most people stop at some point and feel like they are fine where they are. As a musician for the King, it IS your job to always be getting better. Offer your best to Him. Practice. And practice often.
- Play live as often as possible. Even with practicing hours and hours in your bedroom you can only get to a certain point. There is nothing like playing live and the experience that gives you. It gives you confidence and allows you to be more comfortable not worrying about playing but worshiping!
- Give it your all. Everything you have! Every time you play! Everything inside of you! Give it all you’ve got and give it to God!
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