Sacred Moments

In those sacred moments in which the piper marches into a church sanctuary to lead a congregation in call to worship, the Lord, the piper and the congregation are united in a spirit of reverence. It is only possible to lead a congregation in praise and worship with honesty, if God has been reverenced every day of the week; not merely in these few minutes when the music is raised heavenward. God’s name could not have been used in vain, nor could anger and impatience have crowded out love and thoughtfulness.

The piper has to be clean in body, soul and spirit, renewed and presentable without guilt. Playing for God’s glorification must be at the highest level of a person’s ability. One needs a clear conscience that nothing is interfering with the relationship between God and the musical presentation. That would make “call to worship” a hollow mockery. Church pipers must try honestly during the week, to do God’s will. When every effort to respect the holiness of God has been sincere, the offering of praise is acceptable because God’s forgiveness is certain.

Everyone experiences some apprehension when having to lead a congregation in praise. Pipers would know of barriers that once were a hindrance to their offering of praise, but have been forgiven by having admitted those barriers. God’s grace would have erased them. By presenting themselves as clean vehicles through which others too, may praise God, pipers can be confident of His acceptance of their praise. Relaxation and enjoyment in fellowship with God, while playing the pipes for Him is the nature of piping in church. The piper who has absolute assurance of God’s forgiveness, can play with ease. One only has to ask for forgiveness of sinfulness and then strive to change his or her way of life for the better. Even now, we may bow our heads and ask Jesus to consider our transgressions paid in full. He intended them to be, when His body was nailed to that awful“tree.”

Romans 12:1-2

A prominent Biblical writer, the apostle Paul, admonished his friends to present their bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which would be their reasonable service. And, while emphasizing their need to keep both minds and bodies sinless and allow the Lord to dwell in their hearts, Paul told his Corinthian friends that they were the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwelt within them.

With reverence and humility, we pipers who have acknowledged a personal relationship with God may lead a congregation in praise by opening the worship service on a Sunday morning. Consider it to be wonderful invitation to be called upon to lead others in worshipping God in the spirit of holiness. Having been forgiven of everything in our lives that would hinder our perfect relationship with God, we can be confident that God will hear us, and people will be blessed.