What constitues "happiness". I looked up the definition in Webster's 1828 Dictionary and one of the definitions I found was…
Being in the enjoyment of agreeable sensations from the possession of good; enjoying pleasure from the gratification of appetites or desires. If there was no other way to experience happiness than that all of my surroundings, that is, circumstances and people I come into to contact with present to me a sensation that agrees with my desires and expectations, then I dare to say that happiness just isn't going to happen. At least not for an extended period of time. We have to come to a place that we realize our happiness will not be derived from everyone around us meeting our needs that we've placed on them in order for us to be happy. I do not think everyone on my worship team woke up this morning with the thought on their mind, "What can I do to make Elman happy today". Jesus uses this word "happy" many times in the beatitudes. Our Bibles have translated it as the word "Blessed". Many of the conditions Jesus describes in that particular text in Matthew chapter 5 would not be something to make one happy. But the reality of what Jesus is saying is that he dosn't bestow gifts to make men happy but rather he creates a condition inside of man which enables him to find happiness regardless of his surroundings. In other words, he doesn't create happiness by new surroundings but he creates new surroundings by his happiness. I'm finding more and more that it has to do with my character and not my surroundings. So, am I saying that I can walk into an environment, that by all rights, would not produce happiness but still possess happiness, because now the surroundings producing my happiness are coming from within? Absolutely! So how do we possess a happy worship team? Romans 4:8 says Blessed (happy) is the man to whom the Lord does not impute sin. Impute is an accounting term. It means to take an inventory, to calculate and come up with a number. Calculators don't lie. God is not taking an inventory of my sin. Now that's something to be happy about! This truth alone can create a condition "inside of you" that will literally change your surroundings or let me say it like this, change the perception you have of your surroundings. Have I been taking an inventory of other's sins? If so, I will never possess happiness. From sitting down and talking with our worship team, I've found that everyone of us want to change something about our lives and from what they all said, most of those changes would make me "happy". We are all aware of the Spirit of God working in our lives to perfect that which is lacking. The problem is that most of us can't wait for God to change each other. We think we need to come in and help them out a little. It becomes so much easier when I can learn to accept you the way God accepts you at this time in your life and vice versa. We are all on a journey together, not race against each other. Let me finish my rambling on with this thought, Our happiness will come as we realize it's not based on performance, not on possessing but on being. It's who I am. The absence of "imputation of sin" is equivalent to "the imputation of righteousness". A condition that, if we allow ourselves to be, will allow everyone around us to complete their journey.
February 24, 2009 @ 6:03 PM PST Elman . Great topic . In all I’ve read and with all those I’ve talked to at Worship Conferences , it seems there are far more unhappy teams than not . What a shame . Satan must be thrilled .
My hope for a cure for this comes straight from Paul’s letters
and Jesus’ advice . Strive for unity ( intentionally , purposefully ) through Bible study , prayer , fellowship .
Strive to decrease so that the one next to you on the platform may increase . “ Wash the feet “ of those you serve with .And ,
perhaps the hardest of all , pray that the music will always be second in your heart , glory and honor to the Lord first .
When we all pray just before our next rehearsal , could we please pray for worship teams the world over , that they may find love and peace . That they would truly begin to care for each other . That they would realize that Christ’s love is what sets us apart from the secular bands .Pray that we all could focus only on the worship of the only One who is worthy .
May God bless your team , mine and all those that truly desire to advance His Kingdom . Doc
February 13, 2009 @ 8:21 AM PST Interesting comments, Elman. I have had the pleasure of worshipping with “happy teams” as well as “unhappy teams.” And I use the word “pleasure” in both cases because in both situations I was able to contribute and learn. That said, I would much rather worship with a happy worship team, than an unhappy one. It has been my observation that happy teams are derived from happy, fulfilled people; while unhappy teams are derived from unhappy, unfulfilled people. When we look to one another to meet our needs and expectations, we will no doubt, at some point, be disappointed. This environment sets the stage for unrealistic expectations of others, disappointment, and eventually, disillusionment. However, teams comprised of members who truly find their peace and provision in Jesus, tend to be more externally focused, coming from a position of fullness and expectation, and are ready to give and serve, and move forward. This has always been a point of self-assessment for me. Am I worshipping from a full heart, from a spiritually productive life, with a heart of celebration and gratitude? Or, am I worshipping from and empty heart, not having exercised my spiritual gifts and talents throughout the preceding week, not having touched another life with the love of God, not having given into the need of another – and now approach the altar in poverty. A team or congregation that can worship from a position of provision and fulfillment will be able to celebrate their God, and worship in spirit and truth, and lift one another up to the heights of heaven – even in the midst of the challenges and trials of life. I want to be on that team – don’t you? Paul said: “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1) Happy teams come from happy people, who find their happiness and fulfillment in the Lord.
February 12, 2009 @ 5:08 PM PST Amen, Elman (hey, both your first and last names contain the letters of Amen!). One of my best friends often concludes a conversation with “be happy.” To to have joy, happiness, contentment in Him and with others is not a vague theological precept,but a great reality of Christian life, as so so beautifully state (along with many other well-chosen ideas). Thanks for the fine article. Be happy!
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