(Father, placed this plea on my heart yesterday for His creative artists and worshipers. To God alone be the Glory.)
When I was very young, I guess in my 20s, my older sisters would always tell me that I needed to “grow up” and stop behaving childishly. My response to them was always a curt, “I am grown and you can’t tell me what to do.” I was reflecting on those times today when I heard the Lord say this to me: “What your sisters were really asking you to do was to MATURE.”
Growing up doesn’t mean you’re mature. Many times, it’s only an age progression that comes with time in the natural. Maturity, however, is wrought with wisdom that has sprung up from experience. For the believer, it is the APPLICATION OF the supernatural wisdom of God that is born out of supernatural experiences… and has very little to do with time progression.
Over the years, I’ve found myself increasing frustrated with the IMMATURE climate of many in the worship arts. I’ve been grieved at the belief that having a national best seller or being chosen for some Gospel award somehow equals a place of spiritual elevation or intense favor in the realm of the Spirit. THIS JUST ISN’T SO.
I’ve really had to seek the Lord in this hour and in this area for understanding, guidance, patience and an increase in wisdom. Because truly, my spirit is grieving over the condition of this DISEASE among the congregation. In the days of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob… Father would have sent a cleansing through Israel in the midst of His wrath.
Whether many will admit this or not, the worship arts — the creative side of the worship that entails the unending myriad of art forms — suffers intently from the sins of:
- Commercialism
- Competition
- Entertainment
- Selfishness
- Limited Focus & Vision
- Self Righteousness
- Idolatry
These topics, in and of themselves, are too intense to even attempt to address here to the degree that we need to understand them. I used to ask God, WHY DO YOU ALWAYS HAVE ME DIGGING INTO THESE ISSUES WITH GOD’S PEOPLE. Father always reminds me, that this is my portion… my mantle. Those chosen to walk this way… will be hated and misunderstood. (Get ready, cause some of y’all are stepping with me in this war for souls.)
These areas have become BLIND SPOTS to so many believers and revolving doors of compromise and acceptance. They are so much a part of their lives, that they aren’t even regarded as sin. Quite honestly, these things are HATED by God.
In online settings, in the marketplace and even in varying social circles within the Christian community, the people of God SEEM OVERLY ANXIOUS to share about their ministries, their new books, their CD releases, their clothing lines… and all this STUFF — but you hear very little about THE GOSPEL. I pray that those reading can hear the Lord in the midst of this. It’s like THE GIFT & THE PRODUCT OF THE GIFT has become an idol sitting HIGH ABOVE the Matthew 28:18-20 and 2 Corinthians 5:18 call to ministry. These messages should ALWAYS be HIGH AND LIFTED UP over everything that we could possible think or do in the Kingdom…
When you visit people’s website’s and blogs these days… IT IS ALL ABOUT THEM… what they think, what they are doing… but NOTHING that feeds the VISION OF THE KINGDOM WHICH IS SOULS! People of God, something is WRONG….
It’s not time to point our fingers at other people, but to begin evaluating our own ministries. Ask yourself a simple question, “Do you spend more time relaying DETAILS ABOUT YOUR STUFF than you do about Father’s heart for His people?” If so, you’ve more than likely bought into one or more of the sins numbered above.
Daily, we should esteem others MORE than ourselves! We should lift up one another in the things of God. I see people post here in this group, in other groups their stuff when it is convenient to them. I see people show up at Christ and non-Christ oriented meetings and events handing out their flyers, pitching business deals and ministry opportunities. I see people posting THEIR EVENTS on other people’s event pages on FaceBook…. and NOT ONCE acknowledging, encouraging, participating in or acknowledging the things or even taking notice of other things the saints of God are doing right in their midst….
There’s so much selfishness…
People have sent me resumes, vitaes, requests and what have you TO TEACH at our conferences, workshops and events but DO NOT WANT RELATIONSHIP! They won’t even tell people they KNOW NEED WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU… about what it is that you are doing.
I know this is a hard and unpopular message. But these things MUST BE uncovered. While this issue may not be just for worshipers in the ARTS, I will tell you it is WAY MORE PREVALENT HERE… especially among minstrels (musicians and singers); prophetic dancers; and authors and writers.
Those things that YOU DESIRE for your own ministry, life and walk with the Lord…. are the same things that your brothers and sisters in Christ long for as well. WE WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE CONCERNING HOW WE TREAT ONE ANOTHER.
These strongholds must be broken…
I thank GOD that there are ministers and leaders within Voices of Christ that walk beyond this… truly extending RIGHT HAND OF FELLOWSHIP with others. While this world is pursuing NETWORKING, I will forever keep my eyes on PURSUING FELLOWSHIP… seeking to KNOW YOU BY THE SPIRIT…. beyond your gift and your skill. IN FELLOWSHIP is where I can connect with you for KINGDOM PURPOSE…. not business deals….
Father, SHAKE US…. WAKE US UP LORD…. before the day closes for our souls. We are not promised tomorrow… and are daily encouraged TO LIVE LIKE CHRIST TODAY! Father, build in us clean hearts… that pursue your kind of love. It’s not enough to GROW UP in this day and time with our head knowledge, and the appearance of maturity due to time. It is TIME TO MATURE in the revelation of the LOVE that Christ has extended to us…
