Pursue the Father’s heart

You’ve probably already heard the story of how Matt Redman’s song ‘Heart of Worship’ was written. He was leading worship every week at his home church and realised that the congregation and worship team were just going through the motions. The sound of the band was slick and professional, the songs were well written and the congregation put their hands up when they were told. But it all felt un-natural, as though it was a show and not genuine.

So they stopped musical worship. The band stopped playing. Songs were still sung, but with no accompaniment. The church was taught about what it was like to worship God.

The Church leader, Mike Pilivachi, turned to the congregation and asked them this: “When you come through the doors on a Sunday, what are you bringing as your offering to God?”

Sat by by himself in his bedroom, Matt Redman wrote down some lyrics and began to write a song:

I’m coming back to the heart of worship,
And it’s all about You
It’s all about You, Jesus

He shared this with Mike, who encouraged him to lead it on Sunday. As a church, they fixed their eyes on Jesus. They poured out their love on Him. They sought the Father’s heart for each other and for the world. They became active participants in the adventure of worship, rather than performers and observers.

They pursued the Father’s heart and the Father responded.

I’m constantly afraid that I’m ‘going through the motions’. Often when I plan worship, I try to worship freely through the set in private first. I imagine what different musicians might bring to certain moments. I try to hear what God is saying about when to leave space for Him to move. Usually, when Sunday comes, I make changes during the set itself because I’m still listening and trying to be obedient. I decide that the only person I’m following is Jesus. And Jesus life points to the Father’s heart.

Be encouraged today. In whatever role you serve in your church, you are serving God. You are helping others to pursue the Father’s heart. In the Pursue Network, we strive to help people meet with the Father, encourage people to keep pursuing Him, and equip people to go further than ever before because when we journey together, as part of a supportive community, the route is easier, the road is smoother and the load is lighter.