May 9, 2024
I felt an impression from the Holy Spirit today (May 9, 2024) about the necessity of spontaneous worship/songs during this hour of the church. Spontaneous songs, I would even say spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19), have always been needed. That is nothing new! But there is fresh oil for spontaneous songs/worship now. It’s hard to describe the nowness of what I’m sensing.
Spontaneous singing is simply the overflow of a longing heart poised towards Jesus. That definition is based on many teachings but predominantly on an explanation Lamar Boschman gave using greeting cards. I will paraphrase. The most valuable part of a greeting card is not the pre-printed thought written by the card company. It is the handwritten message from the friend giving you the card. The spontaneous song to the Lord is like our handwritten message to Jesus every time.
I love that analogy. Spontaneous worship can only come from the overflow of a longing heart. That overflow isn’t dependent on the right season. We can be in the happiest, hardest, most fruitful, driest, toughest, or easiest season in life and there can still be an overflow of longing. We might have to command our soul to “bless the Lord” at times, but there can still be worship.
The impression I got on May 9 is the fresh oil for spontaneous songs is preparation for something in the future. These moments, both individually and corporately, will be tastes of heaven. But even more, it’s good practice (for lack of a better word) for a time when the church, when followers of Christ, will join together in smaller gatherings, in houses or other places under cover instead of sanctuaries. For a time when all the pleasantries we now enjoy in our services (regardless of denomination or expression) will no longer be there. For a time when worship will look very different. Now is the time to prepare for such a time.
In light of that, I add the following to Boshman’s and many other’s descriptions of spontaneous worship.
- The spontaneous song is a new, uncharted, never-sung-before overflow of a longing heart. It’s when the prepared, previously recorded songs aren’t saying what needs to be said in the moment or don’t sound like what needs to be released.
- The spontaneous song is for individual and/or corporate worship. It can be done anywhere.
- The spontaneous song isn’t dependent on any other song, words on screens, or hymnals, or lyric videos. It’s dependent on the overflow of longing hearts.
- The spontaneous song isn’t about being good at it. Who really cares if you can sing or not? The song is for Adonai. He created you and already knows what you sound like.
- The spontaneous song will move the heart of God. The song belongs solely to him. There is no other purpose or motive for the overflow.
- The spontaneous song isn’t about the worship team (skillful singers or musicians) as much as it will be about every mouth opening wide and overflowing. It won’t be about the spotlight. It will be about joining the beautiful sound.
- The spontaneous song will need space, something intentional without being forced. Or worse, faked. The overflow of a longing heart cannot be faked. As with all acts of worship, it starts in the secret place.
Spontaneous worship might look like…
- Turning off the radio/ipod during commutes and singing a song to Jesus instead.
- Allowing for space in your secret place so the overflow can begin.
- Being okay with quiet and time. Individually and corporately. It’s okay to sit before the Lord together and wait. Wait for what really needs to be said or “written.”
- Having a singer or leader start a spontaneous song and inviting everyone join them. All the voices together in thanksgiving and adoration, and even tongues. It may end up in a new song or refrain.
- It may sound like a symphony (sounding together) of praise that opens heaven’s door for a mighty wind, a revival, salvation, healing, or the supernatural. At least, that’s what the bible says.
I hope it looks like something we haven’t seen yet!
Here’s what I know. There’s fresh oil, a now anointing for spontaneous worship, and it will be a preparation for something ahead of us. It starts in the secret place and will progress from there as we make room for it.
If spontaneous worship is the overflow of a longing heart, it’s bound to be absolutely beautiful as we open the floodgates of our adoration for the Lord. Jesus is going to love it! And he will respond in faithfulness.
If you have never been in a worship service where spontaneous worship happens and have no clue what I’m talking about, there are plenty of good teachings on it. Start with the Bible. Like, Psalm 40, Mary’s song, Moses’ song, 2 Chronicles 20:20-22, Ephesians 5:16, Paul and Silas, Revelation 4, 5, 7, 19.
Brave Sparrow 