Recently I was scrolling Instagram (as millennials do) and found a clip of John Mark Comer talking about preaching, and how he always feels exhausted afterwards. He mentioned that he finally went to a colleague and told him about it. He couldn’t understand why every single time he preached a sermon, he felt his energy being depleted. He felt extremely guilty. After all, He was telling people about Jesus! That should be energizing, right?
A ton has happened in my life over the past couple months. Holy things, good things. Growth. God has been telling me things that He’s been trying to tell me for years, and it’s not for His lack of trying. New revelations are coming when I read scripture, and I feel an overall sense of purpose and clarity.
But something else is happening now as well. Like JMC when he preaches, I’m finding that after I worship, I am absolutely exhausted. After I minister to someone, I am absolutely exhausted. After I write, I am absolutely exhausted. What is going on?
Relevant side-note, I’ve lost over 60 pounds since Thanksgiving. It’s no secret that my struggle has always been gluttony (hard to hide pounds) and part of the transformative work God has been doing in me includes a conviction to be well, and to stop giving excuses. It’s time for me to look past my mat, stop giving excuses and get in the pool (John 5).
I’ve been gaining tons of energy lately as I shred pounds, but when I’m done worshipping, that doesn’t seem to matter. I’m sleeping pretty well. I’m not depressed. What’s up?
So I keep listening to John in this insta-clip and he goes on to reveal what I believe is the reason for how tired I feel (and maybe you, pastor or worship leader reading this) after doing what I’m called to do.
“I remember I was sitting down with Darrell Johnson (former Pastor, Hollywood Presbyterian; Professor of Preaching at Regent)… and I remember him saying ‘well, you know why you’re tired? You know when you’re preaching, you’re not just preaching to your church, you know that right?’ and I was like ‘uh you mean like I’m preaching to the city too or something?’ and he says this:
‘You are preaching to the principalities and powers of the air. They are in the room listening to you, watching you, and you are declaring to them that their reign of terror has come and is coming to a close.’
And I’m like ‘no wonder I’m so exhausted’”
Worship music (like preaching) when done well carries an anointing that demons recognize. So why would you not expect pushback? Maybe it’s time to change the way we pray before we preach and sing. Maybe instead of Psalm 19:14 before our sermons, we pray a prayer of protection and strength. Maybe instead of only asking God to be pleased with what we sing, It’s time to also start asking for the strength to sing it?
I know people can get squeamish when talking about the supernatural. But if stuff like demons, invisible strength and rising from the dead are too crazy for you then you aren’t a Christian and this article isn’t for you anyway. We are singing and preaching before a supernatural God that has publicly declared through His word that He has very real supernatural enemies, and its time for us to start normalizing and acknowledging this in our churches. Especially as pastors, ministers and worship leaders. The Church needs us to put on The Armor and guard ourselves.
The days of passive church attendance and checking the boxes are coming to an end. Church attendance is declining across America, and many are quick to blame covid or politics or a number of other semi-valid reasons. But I believe the real reason that The Church of America is in decline is because we are at war, and we’ve ignored the supernatural side of Christianity and the Church’s role to play in it for too long. We’ve focused so much on getting people in the doors that we’ve neglected to arm and protect the Church Militant that are already inside. We’ve avoided aggressive or corrective language because it scares people away, and instead have invented a more flattering, comfortable church experience with a language that reflects the sensitivities of the culture around us rather than the convictions given by the Christ within us. One centered around the life we’re promised after the battle while ignoring the charge and responsibility that comes with the name Christian. The only supernatural aspect about it is that it’s an example of what happens when the wrong supernatural side takes root.
As for me, I’m ready. I feel prepared again. I sense the same from our Tulsa Worship team as well. I desire a supernatural Church that is not only ready for a relationship with God, but is also ready to get on their knees in prayer and duke it out with an invisible enemy. I want to be a part of a Church that acknowledges God’s Holiness above all else and views everything through that lens, including love and grace and mercy. When our church sings, I want to hear cries to the Lord. Authentic praise with songs that mean something to Christ and His Bride. Songs of confession. Songs of adoration. Songs of war. Not a mumbled half-hearted version of some self-help radio song you listened to all week, or a hymn that gives you nostalgia because it reminds you of the “good ole days” and is impossible to sing along to.
You’re called to be the Church now.
So let’s go.
I’ll be finishing up a few different articles over the coming weeks. Life has been rich and full and I needed to put writing on pause for my family. All is well and I’m back. Until next time, Join the discussion as a subscriber on the Substack app.
Meme of the week:
Context: The Swedish climate activist, Greta Thunberg, was recently awarded an honorary doctorate from the Theology Faculty of the University of Helsinki. THEOLOGY. smh.
