How Can Listening Ignite Passionate Worship?
Brooke Ligertwood’s Heartfelt Insights
In a world brimming with noise, the act of truly listening can be transformative. Brooke Ligertwood, esteemed platinum recording artist and Grammy-award winning songwriter, brings forth a refreshing perspective that merges her musical journey with age-old biblical wisdom. Through her words, we’re reminded of the profound impact of attentive listening, not just in music or collaboration, but most vitally, in our walk with God.
“I have been writing songs since I was 12 years old,” Brooke begins. “My writing process has changed a lot over the past 25-plus years. The biggest part of my writing process is actually not the writing of the output at all, but it is the ingestion of content that feeds me, that teaches me, that challenges me and that provokes my imagination. That usually ends up a song somewhere, but for me, it always starts with the listening because I feel like, what right do I have to say anything, unless I first considered what I should be listening to.”
Active listening can be considered a form of worship. James 1:19 advises, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (NLT).
The process of absorbing before expressing isn’t just essential for songwriting – it’s a crucial element in each of our faith journeys. By listening to God’s Word, seeking His voice in our lives and reflecting on His teachings, we become more attuned to His will.
Sometimes, we need to be silent to truly hear God.
When asked about a critical component of collaboration in any area of life, Brooke responds, “I think probably an important aspect of collaboration is just humility. [It] gives birth to then all of these other things, which make collaboration so special. Humility gives birth to expectation and to wonder.”
The Bible repeatedly extols the virtues of humility, reminding us of Christ’s example. In Philippians 2:5-8, Paul writes of Jesus, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant” (NIV).
Looking at collaboration with humility reflects our call to approach life in Christ’s footsteps. To be humble is to open our hearts to the wonders God has in store, the lessons He wants us to learn and the growth He envisions for us.
Brooke continues, “If I come into a situation thinking that I’m going to bring all the goods that are going to make something come of this, then I am starting on the back foot. That’s where insecurity comes out and all these other things. But if I’m coming from a place of humility, then I get to approach the collaboration as someone who can bear a witness to wonder.”
And in the wonder, Brooke asks herself:
- What could God do here?
- What can I learn from this person?
- What might the Lord want to teach us through this process?
Booke shares, “It’s not just with what the outcome is, but through the process.” Our Christian walk is about the journey – the sanctification, the growth, the day-to-day choices – as much as it is about our eternal destination.
Remember to embrace every step of your spiritual journey, valleys and peaks alike.
“You often end up being the recipient of a gift so much greater than just an outcome of a song or whatever the intention of the collaboration was,” Brooke encourages.
While rooted in her music journey, Brooke offers a goldmine of wisdom for all Christ followers. Through active listening, humility, seeking wisdom, valuing community and cherishing the journey, we can better navigate our faith, drawing ever closer to the heart of God.
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