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The past Sunday, we sang a song that was released in 1999, by Matt Redman.

It impacted his life in such a way that he wrote a book about it, which in turn impacted my life. It is a very short read, but full of nuggets.  The song begins, “When the music fades, and all is stripped away and I simply come.”

The Word tells us, “But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.  For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23, 24).

Living in this world we can get caught up in so many things that distract us from true worship.  Even worship leaders can have the run of the mill distractions, as people have their two cents about what type of music should be presented to God.  People have preferences.  They do not like this song or that song.  The music is too this, or the music is too that.  However, God is not looking at the music. God is looking at what is coming from the depths of our heart.  Preferences have absolutely nothing to do it.

I believe we can all agree that God created music. It is wonderful regardless of our preferred genre.  However, what are we saying or singing to God.  What do the words/lyrics mean? How do we translate that from our heart to God’s ears?

The Word says, “Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart” (Psalm 26:2). 

When we worship God he is looking at our heart.

“But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives.  I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve” (Jeremiah 17:10).

My favorite part of the lyrics, “…and I simply come.”

It is such a relief to me that I can come before God – just as I am.  He is not looking at how much money I make, what kind of car I drive, the name brand of clothes that I wear, the kind of house I live in or what my last name is.  No power or prestige,  he just desires me to worship him with all my heart.

For 2021, may we “Enter, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the Lord who made us” (Psalm 95:6), with all our heart.

Yvette Perrin is a columnist for The Charlotte Gazette. She can be reached at theword2yvette@gmail.com.