Our desire, through worship, is to express our love for God and to draw near to Him. This is achieved in many ways, as mentioned in the previous articles. We sing, we dance, we clap our hands, etc. However, I believe that it doesn’t stop there. There is part of us that longs for something deeper, something even more personal.

It’s when we start to share what’s really on our hearts and minds that we can often sense a breakthrough in our times of worship. There is truth in so many worship songs and we can easily sing them. But, some songs just seem to speak to our own hearts and reflect where we are and what we’re trying to express.

It’s true that we are most comfortable with the status quo. But, part of us also longs for the newness of things, even inside the regular standards. There are several TV shows that I enjoy watching. When I do manage to tune into a show, I’m not saying to myself, "oh, I hope it’s a repeat. I love reruns." I’m hoping to catch a new episode, to see what new has developed in the show and the characters’ lives.

This translates over into my life of songwriting. I want to do something new, I want to shape and create, I want to be able to express myself.

Bingo! Writing allows me to release some of my own thoughts and desires into words, into meaningful pictures that can be verbalized. Some of the songs that I write are just standards and anthems, presenting truths upon which my faith is built. More and more, though, I’m learning how expressing my heart in and through my songs, allowing me to enter into a greater sense of intimacy with God.

The purpose of my songwriting is not really to present songs in front of the church. In the end, it’s simply something I do so that I can express my own heart to God. Some songs I write, I keep just for myself and for God. At times, He tells me to share them with others, and so maybe you’ve heard one or two of my songs. If so, perchance you’re catching a bit of my heart, of my struggles, of my desires.

Not all of us are songwriters, by any means. However, I do believe that we each have many ways by which we can bring out and express those innermost parts of ourselves to God. Do you write poems? Do you draw? Do you paint? Do you work with your hands? What are the activities where you can focus your passion and your time?

I encourage you, look at where your desires and interests lie. Then look at your heart and mind. What are you longing to say? What are you longing to share with God? How can you express it through a stream of activity that is part of you? Are you willing to take that extra step and move into the unknown? As you try it, you’ll see how God honours that step and you’ll find a greater degree of intimacy in your own life of worship.

Oh God, give us hearts that long for You, and voices that are willing to express that truth. Amen.

Song Sampling:

• Wash Over Me (David Ruis)
• The Heart of Worship (Matt Redman)
• Your Love Reaches Me (Darren Clarke)
• Run Free (Timo Jaakkimainen)