Anointed

The word "anointed", in some Christian circles, has been diluted to a point where it is sort of lost to us. It's the same thing we've done to many other words.  We've made it impotent by applying it to many things that it is not.  Doing that's made it come to have a somewhat nebulous meaning that's almost rather like no meaning at all.

I say all that to say - I stumbled across an individual who I believe has been "anointed" for musical worship in a way I've not seen very often.  I use anointed as in - consecrated or chosen. With anointing, sometimes actual application of oil has been done, though I don't know if this man has been actually blessed with an application of oil. I do know God has chosen him.

It's really quite fascinating to me. I saw this person probably about a year ago, for the first time.  He is a very unassuming person.  Not showy.  Never presumptuous or full of himself with his talent.  He is humble, focused, pure in seeking to worship with his gift. He is rather unconscious of himself and quiet - not a very talkative person.  He has an innocence about him that is very refreshing in such a young person (he's likely no more than 25).  He is connected with God's heart in a way I have not experienced with any other musical worship leader in some ways (and I've seen quite a few of them - some very very talented). He has an innate talent with his instrument, but it's really more about his sensitivity to the Holy Spirit - though he uses his instrument to convey what He sees God doing. He listens intently to God.  He's never rushed or locked in to a set formula or way.  He's watching and when God turns, he turns.  He makes the sound that heaven is making. He adapts a song to fit how the Holy Spirit is leading for. He's playing "from heaven".  I have nearly been frozen during worship with this person playing. Frozen in actual awe of God. There is such a deep place of worship that's entered, that I really can't move for a good portion of the time.  It's not painful, it's the most wonderful.

Typically, this man plays with a group of very gifted worship leaders. They are a very powerful combination, each of them with specific talents and the whole is quite wonderful.  That and a great prayer team makes for a fabulous watering hole for the beloved.  I'm blessed to get to worship with them once or sometimes twice a month.  However, today, I was able to see this person lead worship alone.  I could not wait to go and encourage him to keep on sharing the worship of God in the way he does.  I could tell he felt very unequal to the task - but he really did so marvelously with God's absolute stamp on it. He was not really able to see some of what happened.  There was a spiritual darkness trying to keep worship halted or the lid on it.  He sensed that and felt as though he was struggling to get through. But God absolutely busted him through it.  He did join God by his persistence and brought all of us up into that place with God where heaven  is on earth in reality.  I believe he felt inadequate because he typically does not sing, when he works with the other leaders - though he sings quite well.  Tonight he sang and played and though his voice started out very quiet and tentative - he played as he always does, with great sensitivity.  We all came in to join him and the intimacy of it was quite powerful.  We could actually all hear each other - including him and all of us were so in awe of God's beauty there. So many times, in worship, the music drowns out all of the other worship voices and you only can hear the leaders.  It was so wonderful to hear each of the voices and their way of worship and love of God, even though not all were gifted with star quality singing voices.  Each had a unique portion of adoration for the King and it was wonderful sharing in God's presence. I reveled worshiping God in that way.  That time, so "anointed".   :)  Thank you, God.