In his landmark book, THE SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE, author Stephen Covey makes this assertion - "private victories preceed public victories."
That is certainly the case. Think about it - chapionship teams or chamionship athletes have to "win" on the practice field before they win in the stadium. Virtuoso soloists - be they singers or instrumentalists - have to achieve excellence in the practice room before they can do so in the concert hall. The examples are everywhere. And - in personal issues as well. Want to drop fifty pounds and six pant sizes?. . . it doesn't happen in the public spotlight, but in the daily, personal, private grind of good diet and exercise. People only start to notice AFTER the private victories have been won. School is ending soon. Exams are coming. Want to ace the test? You first have to "ace it" in the privacy of the library, office, or at the kitchen table - just you and the material.
The same truth applies in our role as worship leaders. Before we can sing and play to lead others in worship - we must be private worshipers throughout the week, lifting our hearts to the Lord in thanksgiving and praise, so that when we lead, we are leading out of the overflow of our hearts. I have had the HONOR of leading worship publicly for twenty-five years now. It is hard to believe! And, trust me . . . along the way there have been times when I had to lead when I was not prepared spiritually. My spiritual tank was empty. Those were NOT good experiences for me, and, sadly - probably not for the people I was seeking to lead.
The BEST Sunday worship we will EVER have begins WAY before Sunday. It begins as we read the Word of God and listen for His voice, as we pour our hearts out before Him in prayer, and as we WORSHIP Him in our daily lives, lifting and offering thanksgiving, praise, and adoration for His BOUNDLESS love, grace and goodness. Our Wednesday rehearsals are a critical part of that process as well, as we come together not only to practice, but to unite our spirits and hearts as one before the Sunday experience. The Scriptures instruct us to sing with the Spirit AND with understanding. That's what Wednesday rehearsal times help us to accomplish, as we come together to learn what we are singing about, and as we pray for one another and for the Body of Christ that we serve.
As we look toward this Sunday - and all the Sundays to come - let us remember that authentic public worship is IMPOSSIBLE without authentic private worship. We know it's true, and we know what to do . . . so let's do it!