I recently got back from a vacation in Washington DC and Maryland. I loved the time I got to spend with my great friend Michael Craig. He’s part of a growing and vibrant church in Maryland if you’re up that way. As I traveled around DC I got to see a lot about our founding fathers, our country’s history and men and women who left an indelible legacy. I also got some time to pray and just be alone with God. I got to pray about the legacy I’m leaving.

One of my great friends and mentors used to always ask me; “What are you doing that will live on after you’re gone?”. That question has always bothered and challenged me. While I was on vacation I realized however that the legacy I’d been focused on for so long was more about people remembering me and something magnanimous that I had done. I  wanted people to remember me for having done something amazing or contributed to the church or missions in some significant way.

It felt like God was whispering to my heart that what mattered more was who I am not what I do. It seems so simple but I think I’ve been missing it. It’s honestly easier to relate to people on the basis of what you do because you can control that to a certain extent. Who you are is a much more complicated thing to show and can be miscommunicated more easily.

I’ve in no way got this figured out but life is starting to boil down to loving God, my family and others, receiving God’s acceptance of who I am and trying to faithfully use the gifts He’s given me to build His kingdom and not my own. Somebody let me know if you get that figured out. It still feels a long way off for me.

I’m meeting with our worship team tonight for some pizza and fellowship. Part of our conversation is going to be about our focus.

It’s easy to focus on musical/technical execution.

It’s easier still to just focus on doing your job well.

It’s easy to make worship about the part you play.

But worship isn’t about us.

Worship is about Him. His pleasure. His praise. Celebrating His promise.

As a worshiping community, my highest aspiration for us is that we would be worshipers. I’m hoping everything we do in the “artistic” life of our church reflects that hope.

How do you keep your focus where it should be?