“The lamp and the light”- by Samantha Lockett

I have pondered for quite some time on what the Lord has done in my life throughout my first year serving in worship ministry and I am astonished at His wonder-working power. Everything began with a vision from God to spend my free time worshiping Him in reverence, for the calling He prompted me toward was unfathomable. This worship was raw and unfiltered, kneeling on my bed in my apartment just praying and worshiping with such a vivid vision of students from many churches coming together, hands lifted in surrender, calling out to Jesus. John 17:22-23, “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them, and they are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as me.” These are the words the Lord spoke through Jesus over future believers, and He urged me to pray these very words over Collective and the many students that would gather to hear and magnify the name of Jesus. In the face of adversity, when I received that bad test grade or faced slander, criticism, depression, or anxiety, God was the one who was my rock and my fortress, the one I could cling to in my hour of despair! Praise be to the One who has never left me nor has forsaken me. It was during those intimate worship moments alone in my room that the Lord healed my perspective of life and let me see the true and gentle power of Salvation. 

There were moments where I found myself defeated, wondering what the Lord was doing and why I was unable to see where my feet were headed, but He kept telling me to just say yes to Him without any doubt. Imagine walking on a path so thickly covered in fog and all you can do is shuffle your feet on the ground laid out before you. Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path.” This is where my faith and hope learned to submit to daily obedience, for I do not know the events of tomorrow so I must be faithful with my today. This mentality is what allows me to focus on being fully present, which is something I struggled with when leading worship. How beautiful to see that in surrendering my body, soul, and spirit to Jesus, I become the instrument and HE becomes the sound that leaves my lungs. It is the heart of this true, raw worship that unites hearts and breaks down the barriers so often held during worship.