God send a breakthrough,
We long to see You
Moving among us,
Having Your way.
God send a breakthrough,

Driven by Your love,
To live for You alone.
By Your Spirit, Lord,
Break through these hearts of stone.

Since the beginning of 2010, our Pastor has been challenging us to be DRIVEN to pray for and seek spiritual breakthroughs in our personal lives and in the life of our church. The challenge Brent has presented has been Biblical, passionate, focused and . . . needed! I have been blessed by this emphasis and continue to be week by week.

As worship leaders, and choir and orchestra members ARE front-line worship leaders, the responsibility for us to respond to this call is great. We have an opportunity to express a true heart of worship every week through our singing, playing and most of all - our attitude and expression. In other words, if Spiritual Breakthrough is going to come to FBCC - it will have to come to the Choir & Orchestra first! We set the temperature - we are the thermostat for the worship experience week by week.

This is consistent with Scripture. The Levites were the tribe, set apart by God, to oversee the musical worship expression of the Jewish nation. There is a compelling story in 2 Chronicles 20 concerning certain Levites who began to sing and shout their praises to the Lord, leading to victory in battle. I believe that we are engaged in a great spiritual battle to move the church forward to reach the world, and that Satan is constantly working against our unity, our strength, and our will to win. As worship leaders, we must be "on guard" and giving OUR BEST to the ministry of worship to strengthen and encourage the church.

Spiritual breakthrough will have different meanings for different people, based on where they are spiritually and in their personal circumstance. For some, breakthrough will come when they commit to a consistent devotional life and walk with Christ through prayer and Bible reading. For others, it may be as simple as commiting to be faithful to use their gifts again - to get off the sidelines and get involved once again. For still others, a breathrough will only come through confession of specific sin and repentance before the Lord, or the restoration of a relationship that needs to be made right in God's eyes.

My earnest prayer this year is that revival - breakthrough - may come in an undeniable way to our church. And - that the movement would begin with committed Levites - choir and orchestra members - who set aside all issues except being obedient to love and serve God fully and completely.

We can learn lots of great new songs, memorize the music, rehearse to near-perfection . . . but if our hearts are cold, unconcerened, or distracted . . . then we will fail to lead in the way God desires. My heart's desire is to lead us to have excellence in spirit and in skill - to give our very best from a heart that overflows with thanksgiving, praise and worship for our great God. When we are faithful to that task - Breakthrough WILL come!