Mark Hanna (top) directing IMAG video at Raleigh, NC's Hope Community Church. Photo courtesy of Josh Hancock.
My entire adult life has been spent serving in a tech department at a church. I have done this as a staff member for almost 10 years and as a volunteer for another decade. At one point in my time on staff I left professional ministry to pursue…well money if I am honest about it. After being on the road for four months (which, as it turned out I hated), I came across this verse:
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart”
Psalm 37:4 (ESV)
It occurred to me that I wasn't even delighting myself in my work, how could I be delighting myself in the Lord. At that point in my life, the desire of my heart was do be doing something meaningful, and something that allowed me to use my skills and abilities to glorify God and to help others do the same. So I left that job and returned to professional technical ministry.
During this time, our church's “Marketplace Matters” team, a group of business professionals, was promoting a message of “work as worship.” Now, I don't think they coined that phrase, somehow this phrase resonated with me, and here is why: When people talk about worship, often they mean singing. Those words tend to be synonymous. I want to make the observation that “synonymous” doesn't mean “mutually exclusive.” I like to sing and I like to sing to God, but I don't tend to connect that way; mainly because I can't sing. Seriously, I'm terrible. Because I am so bad at it I feel like I cheapen my praise when I do it. In the Old Testament, it says:
“Bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks.”
Deuteronomy 12:6 (NIV)
Tithes and special gifts are used in the same sentence. This sounds to me like it should be something special --- something important. First fruits. Singing isn't special or important to me because I am no good at it. Even worse, I work with people who are awesome at it. In my tenure in tech I have worked with a dozen amazingly gifted worship leaders, so I am constantly reminded of my inability. As a result, when I do sing, even in praise, I am not overly demonstrative. I don't feel like I am giving my “first fruits” I feel like I am sharing my reheated leftovers. I have tried to raise my hands while singing; it always feels wrong. It's simply not my thing. Actually, I kind feel like Cain.
“In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.” - Genesis 4:3-5
However, I noticed a few months ago that when I am directing IMAG my hands are always up. I am super-demonstrative (just ask my volunteers or look on YouTube. I know there are videos out there), and those times are when I most frequently feel like I am connecting with God. Those are the times I feel like I am really giving the best I have to offer. The fact that I am doing something I think I am good at makes a difference.
The argument could be made “Yeah but I have seen your IMAG and it's not that good.” That may be true, but I direct it with pure abandon, I leave it all on the field. I don't sing that way --- ever. Also I think God knows my intent, when I am directing I do it to glorify him. You could say “Does not the same hold true with singing?” Sure it does, but I didn't say God had a problem with my singing, I said I did, it creates a barrier for me.
I also notice the word “tithe” is use in Deuteronomy 12:6 as well. I always heard that explained as giving back to God what has been given to you. Here is an idea: How about tithing on your talent? God gave it to you. What if you actively found ways to give back to God 10% of the talent you have been gifted with?
I would like to think that since it's something you are good at, you might get more out of dedicating it to God. It might increase your connection to God, or give you another way to connect with Him. Maybe if you are a computer geek you can volunteer to help the church with IT, or if you are a teacher you could volunteer in a children's program. Just find a way to utilize the talents you have to glorify God.
I now see very clearly how “work is worship” for me. How about you? Are you finding a way to “delight yourself in the Lord?” Can you find a way to tithe on your talent?
