Peace and Joy

Peace and Joy
IT HAPPENED AGAIN! You may be asking yourself “What in the world is Aaron talking about?” Coming back from vacation, I was so ready to get back in the corporate worship saddle again. Many times right after a two week rehearsal break, the worship horse is very difficult to ride again. The choir and orchestra usually need a little warming up. I typically have so much bottled up inside that it is hard for me to restrain myself. But Sunday was much different. There was a sense of expectation from everyone that God was going to do something. That is exactly what happened. God showed up! The power of God was exhibited in a mighty way, and He used all of us to get it done. I have preached for the last year and a half that the choir and orchestra are so important when it comes to leading worship. When we worship, the congregation is more encouraged to worship. I was told by many individuals on Sunday that they really saw you all worshiping. That is what I desire every week. What made the difference? Was it the song selection? Was it our hearts? Was it a deep desire within us to see God work? Yes, I believe it was all of these and probably more.
What is it that should bring us the joy that we had on Sunday? Are we looking to music to bring us that joy? Are we looking to our friends and family to bring it to us? I hope that this is not where we are seeking our joy. Our peace and joy should come in the fact that “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 4: 8b).” We sing because we have been justified by Jesus Christ. We should not seek our joy through singing or playing. We should already have that joy before we even start a single note. Our corporate worship should be an overflow of the joy that we have in Christ.
Then how and when will our corporate worship experience see another high like we saw Sunday? It will only manifest when we realize where we came from and how much the Lord Jesus Christ has changed us. It will happen again when we enter in expecting God to work. It could come today! Let the following verse bring you such joy and peace today:
“You see, at just the right time, when you were still powerless,
Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, Though for a good man someone might dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8

Aaron Hodges