My Life: 'What Do I Model?

I've never thought of the apostle Paul as a worship leader. He apparently didn't strum a lyre in front of the church or keep time with a timbrel.He did lead an a cappella hymn-sing in prison at midnight after being beatenand thrown in the stocks. Not exactly the kind of worship context I'm used to. 

Paul may not fit our image of a worship leader, but he can tell us how tolive like one. Maybe he never led a worship band, but he consistently glorifiedGod and exalted the Savior in the power of the Holy Spirit. His life and words have inspired millions throughout history to offer up God-honoring worship. More than any musician I've ever known, Paul shows us how to live like a worship leader.

If leading worship were merely a matter of what we did on Sunday morning, I wouldn't need to write this chapter. But leading worship starts withthe way I live my life, not with what I do in public. It's inconceivable for us to see ourselves as worship leaders if we're not giving attention to what we do every day. 

Counsel for a Young Man 

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul gave him directions for leading the church in Ephesus. Timothy was probably in his thirties, younger than many of the Christians he led. Paul knew that his young age might lead people to questionhis authority or effectiveness. So he also told Timothy, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, inlove, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Whether we're young or old, that's God's counsel for each of us. Is your desire to lead people in worshiping God?Then the example of your life will show it.

It doesn't matter whether we're leading a congregation, driving our car, orsitting alone in our bedroom. Everything we do should be governed by one goal—to see Jesus Christ praised, exalted, magnified, lifted up, and obeyed.