Consider this twist on Mark 10:17-23:
As Jesus started on his way, a young worship leader ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good - except God alone. You know what to do: Believe in me and follow me and you will be saved.”
“Lord,” he declared, “I have believed and followed You since I was a boy.”
Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, stop playing the guitar/singing and give up your worship ministry. Then come, follow me.”
At this the worship leader’s face fell. He went away sad, because he was a cool singer/musician, had a smokin’ hot worship ministry and was about to sign up with a major record label.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for worship leaders to enter the kingdom of God!”
Just wondering…could this happen?
It’s so easy to get carried away with all the trappings of ministry – especially on-stage ministries like worship. The spotlight’s on the worship team, there’s adulation from the congregation, there’s fame etc. all of which add fuel to the ego and increases the struggle to keep a humble head. Let’s face it – it’s pretty easy to make ministry our God!
Here’s how Jesus teaches us to handle potential attachments:
1. Daily self denial – Luke 9:23
2. God first, even family should be next – Matthew 10:37
3. Love God most, not material possessions – Mark 10:21
In one word:
Detachment.
Why? Because attachments enslave, whereas detachment sets us free. So how can you know if you are truly detached from ministry?
One way to find out is by doing this spiritual exercise: Visualize being the young worship leader in the scene given in the beginning of this article and imagine Jesus telling you to stop ministering completely. What is your reaction? Sadness? Anger? Or is it a secure ‘yes Lord’ in the knowledge that He knows best?
Your reaction is a good indicator to your level of attachment or detachment.
Do you have any tips to share on practising detachment?
