Have you ever wondered why some worship leaders are just better than others? It seems like when some worship leaders begin singing that the room fills with God’s presence and people are just naturally lift their hands and engage. And from my experience, it is not just a matter of musical talent.
I have heard some amazing Christian singers whose effect on the crowd was that everyone really enjoyed listening to the talented singing. People may have been moved emotionally, but no one was drawn in to worship Jesus. Despite great talent, no one encountered God’s presence. They simply encountered good music.
Yet I’ve heard decent singers who shifted the atmosphere of a room with a simple melody. Certain worship leaders seem to have a magical way of carrying God’s presence when they lead. How can two different Jesus-loving people sing the same song and have an entirely different effect on a room? What is that thing? Some may call it an anointing or a gift (is worship leading a spiritual gift?).
I think the secret might be oil.
Some worship leaders know God. Some have been in the secret place, praying and fasting, enjoying friendship with their Father. Some have spend hours worshiping when no one is looking. Some of are overflowing with the life that comes from relationship with God. And when they burn the lamp of worship leading, there’s spiritual fuel that release the power of God. The fragrance of Jesus is released. It’s different.
In Matthew 25 Jesus teaches the parable of the ten virgins. You could also call it the parable of the oil of intimacy.
“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” Matthew 25:1-13
The burning lamps in this parable are their ministries. Everyone had lamps, but only some of the virgins had oil to sustain them.
The oil represents intimacy with God. That’s why the Lord’s rebuke is “I do not know you” and the command is to watch (i.e. pray).
Many people want the lamp of ministry without the oil of intimacy. But you can only sustain the effort for so long. You need oil. Life comes from God. Jesus said that He is the vine and we are the branches – apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15).
The elephant in the room is that many pastors, ministers and worship leaders have learned how to burn the lamp of ministry but do not even have an intimate relationship with God. We need oil.
Oil can not be bought or borrowed or learned or imparted. No one can lay hands on you and give you oil. Oil does not come from the pre-service prayer time. Oil can not be received via podcast or livestream or through a book. Greater skills, training and giftedness does not give you oil. Oil only comes when you get alone with God and get to know Him. It takes time. It takes hiddenness. It takes intimacy.
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:6
Jesus invites us to the secret place to pray, to love, to worship and to know the Father when no one is looking. Where Instagram and Facebook are unaware. Where nobody thanks you or sees you or cares but your Father. The Holy Spirit is inviting us to a deep secret life in God where our lamps are filled with oil. Where our public lives and ministries are an overflow of our private relationship with God.
I can always tell when worship leaders have been in the secret place. The Father rewards them openly. It’s different. It’s anointed. It’s oily. There’s a fragrance and a sweetness to it.
The reason David could play his harp before Saul and see demons flee (I Samuel 16) is because David had oil on his life. He had spent his days worshiping and shepherding on the hillsides of Israel. With no applause and no accolades. Just simple intimacy with God. He was learning to be with his Father. He had learned to minister to the Lord without the need for a crowd or a reaction from men. He was free from the urge to please people and make himself known. And when God opened a door for him to worship on a “platform”, the power of God was manifested. David had oil on his life and on his worship.
Some worship leaders are very talented. Some worship leaders have strong spiritual gifts. But some worship leaders have oil. It’s the secret weapon. It’s only found in the hidden places – on the hillsides, in the locked bedrooms, in the early morning and late-night hours when no one is looking. Let’s get oil in our lamps!