Context
The idea of context or contextualizing our worship has been bouncing around in my head. We know that the Bible is the inspired word of God, but it is also a historical document written to a certain people at a certain time. Understanding this gives us context to what is being said. It gives us an opportunity to understand more deeply what is being communicated, because of the context in which it was used, and how that can have significance for us today.
As leaders, when we bring together a congregation of many different people, we are bringing many different contexts together. The way that people perceive God is naturally through the context of their experience. As people trying to understand an unlimited and boundless God, we can’t help but try and put Him into a context that we can understand and interact with.
As we carry out our duties as worship leaders, I believe a vital role we have is to help pull the congregation’s understanding of God beyond their own context and see a bigger, more grand, more powerful God than they could have imagined.
It seems like this is a growing trend in worship songs and I am here for it. Lyrics such as:
On my best day I’m a child of God.
On my worst day I’m a child of God.
Oh, every day is a good day. You’re the reason why.
All my life You have been faithful.
All my life You have been so, so good.
With every breath that I am able
I will sing of the goodness of God.
Yes, I will lift You high in the lowest valley.
Yes, I will bless Your name.
Yes, I will sing for joy when my heart is heavy
All my days, yes, I will.
These songs, and many others with this type of theme, give us an opportunity to get the congregation thinking and worshipping beyond their current or past circumstances, and the context they have put God in because of them. They can help the congregation see beyond what their context is to a God who is so much more.
Try to add some songs to your list for worship next week that expand the context that the congregation can view God.