Today I want to talk about something that affects worship musicians everywhere. I call it the “Musician’s Curse.”
The musician’s curse is that thing inside of us that causes us musicians in the crowd to focus on guitar licks, drums fills, vocal harmonies, whether the band sucks or not, sound quality, the pedals and amp the guitar player is using, …etc! That thing that causes us to focus on everything …except Jesus!
You musicians know what I’m talking about.
For instance, I’m a worshiper. I can worship through all obstacles of life. When I’m faced with a terrible circumstance, I worship. However, there is something to be said about me trying to go through and entire worship set focused on Jesus, when the band is terrible!
Theres something inside of me that wants to be extra critical of everything the band is doing. Hence the “musicians curse.” It makes those terrible circumstances look like a walk in the park!
The above is actually something I wrote about in my prayer journal over 2 years ago. I wanted to start with that, because I know so many of us struggle with this.
So I’d like to fast forward to now. Although it still has it’s moments, I’ve been able to almost completely overcome the “musician’s curse.” And I’d like to share with you how it happened.
First, I went to God in prayer every day and asked the Holy Spirit to do something in me. He showed me 3 big things that were tough for me to realize. As you read through them, I pray that the Holy Spirit works on your heart.
1. I didn’t have a worshiping heart!
You know what my first response to this was? “Of course I do! I mean, I love God. I sing and lift my hands during worship!” However, since I was open to God and what He wanted to show me, I learned that I actually didn’t know a thing about what worship was. How can I have a worshiping heart if I don’t even understand true worship. I didn’t understand what it really was to be obedient to God. I’ll let God speak to you about this more, but it starts with reading your Bible. Moving on…
2. I didn’t have a humble spirit!
You know what my first response to this was? “Yea…you’re right.” No arguing that. I knew I didn’t, I just refused to change. Oh, I was nice and humble on the outside, but my heart was far from that. I had to ask God to teach me humility. Any talents I have are given to me from Him in the first place. I had to decrease so He could increase.
3. Who am I to judge others?
The last thing God said to me was, “Who are you to judge other people’s worship and offerings to me?” This was like a slap in the face! I had to realize that other people’s worship has nothing to do with me. How would you feel if someone made fun of your children and their gifts to you? Wouldn’t you be hurt, and want to bring down your wrath on them? I sure as heck won’t be the guy to mock God like that!
If you’ve ever experienced that empty feeling during and after worship, it’s time to make a change. Allow God to to a work in you. Then repeat after me: “The band can be horrible and the drummer can catch on fire, but nothing is going to get in the way of my worship to my Father! Not even some ridiculous ‘musician’s curse.'”
Do you have any tips for us on overcoming the musician’s curse? Share below in the comments!
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