God doesn’t need us (+ new song out)

Let Your Kingdom Come started with a simple WhatsApp message. “For the next song, I’d love for us to write something with a missional focus”, Pete typed. “I think we’re lacking songs with that kind of theme.” More than that, we needed mission-focused songs that weren’t self-focused. Not singing about what we’re going to do for God—as if he were desperate for our help—but about what he’s already doing in the world. 

So we came upon one of the great and freeing truths of our faith: God does not need us. He’s not relying on us for his happiness or fame or mission. We are not the main characters in this drama. The plot line does not depend on us. Jesus is the one building his Church. The Father predestines, calls, and justifies. The Spirit softens stony hearts. God is writing his story with passion and power in his penstrokes. The kingdom is his.

God is ultimately devoted to building it for the sake of his glory, to see the nations come to him and exchange their angry fists for arms outstretched in adoration. As the Psalmist sings, “All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name" (Psalm 86.9). Worship is the end goal of the kingdom - of all history in fact.

All of this is good news for two reasons. Since God is the most beautiful, happy and glorious being, 1) worshipping him truly is a delight.  And 2) although humanity is tempted to worship ugly, debasing, and disatisfying things, God simply won’t let that happen in the long run. Goodness and joy will outlive idolatry and sin. God’s glory (and our happiness in beholding him) will prevail.


So, what now?

Knowing that God is in control of his kingdom might make you think that our job is simply to sit back, kick up our feet, and watch the light dawn on the new creation. But God has something better in store for us. He invites us to assist him in creating a masterpiece, a world full of his glory. 

Imagine a small child working beside a carpenter father, watching in amazement as his rough, weathered hands—sawdust under his nails—turn a block of wood into a piece of art. The father asks him to help in the work, to chisel and sand under his tender gaze. A little apprentice. So too with us and God. Or, to use another image, we’re representatives of a king, sent out to proclaim a message of hope in towns and cities everywhere. To announce good news. The message isn’t ours, yet God invites and honours us in the task of sharing it. 

This is the reality we live in. God is in control, his kingdom is on the move, and in a surprising turn of events, he invites us to be part of building it. So, why not get caught up in this mission and make the bridge of Let Your Kingdom Come your prayer? ‘Let your kingdom come in me. Let my heart burn for the lost. ’ It’s one God loves to answer.

Artwork by Emily Ikoshi

New song out now

Our debut single, ‘Crucible’, is available on all streaming platforms. Over the last two years, this song has morphed from a voice memo idea to a studio-recorded single, and we’re so excited to share it with you.

Artwork by Emily Ikoshi

Crucible was an obvious choice for our first release and was truly a team effort. Cezar, Daniel and I wrote its first iteration in February ‘23. Their lyrical and musical talent helped add verses and a bridge to a simple chorus idea. We then took our first draft to Pete, Nats and Bekah, who added finesse and coherence. Through many collaborative sessions, it became the song we sing today and quickly cemented itself as a firm favourite.

Then came the recording. Riley and I went to the studio earlier this year to lay down the drums. Naomi later recorded piano, and Zoe added the lead vocal. Electric guitar, bass, and backing vocals came later. Eventually, after many listens and second opinions, we sent it to a mixing and mastering engineer.

Finally, we have a finished song to share with you! God has equipped our church with many gifted people - Emily created our cover art too! - and it’s been amazing to see how he’s brought us together to complete the project. He does all this for his glory, and our prayer is that this song will lift your eyes to behold and worship Jesus. We constantly need reminding of his forgiving kindness, and we hope this single, whether streamed on the Tube or in the kitchen, will do just that.

P.S. Head to grace.london/music to find lyrics and chord sheets.

Biblical Creativity

What do the average banker and painter have in common? Probably not much. Their labours are utterly unalike. One works in an office, the other in a studio. One works with numbers, the other with colour. But despite their differences, the Bible bestows dignity on the work of both. The artist is as much a ‘worker' as the financier, and vice versa.

In a world which prizes productivity, this is important to note. Creative work does not make the world go round like money does. We would immediately feel the crushing effects of a financial crisis, but if every artist stopped working tomorrow, it would take longer to notice. However, the consequences would be similarly crushing if only different and more gradual. Life would slowly become less beautiful and vibrant. Culture would grow stale. While creativity doesn't hit productivity goals like other forms of work, it is equally vital.


Creativity is work

The Bible affirms the place of creativity in its opening pages. In Genesis 1, God gives Adam and Eve a mission: “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1.28). 

God honours them with the responsibility to 'subdue' the earth, to tame a sinless but uncultivated world. Pre-fall creation was not corrupted, but neither was it finished. God looked at the world with delight - it was ‘good’ - but there was more to be done. Earth’s raw materials existed but remained untamed. So, God called Adam and Eve to create order in this beautiful but wild landscape.

Creating art is one way to subdue the earth. Just as farmers tame creation by ploughing and sowing, artists do so by composing and performing. Their materials are not seed and soil but colour, language and sound. So, like farming, gardening, or banking, creative work is honest work.


Creativity is hard

However, we often imagine creative work simply as musing for hours, waiting for a genius idea to strike. This notion only hinders us from viewing artistry as honest work. However, understanding creativity as a practice of cultivating God’s creation can help us.

As any labourer will tell you, cultivation requires persistent hard work, even in the driving rain. A farmer doesn’t wait for perfect circumstances or a particular emotion to get ploughing. There will be moments of joy and reward, but grit, patience, and endurance are anyways required.

Similarly, creative work is neither easy nor passive but, like any work, requires persistence. Understanding creativity as a form of cultivating shows us we needn’t wait for a stroke of genius. Like the farmer, we must work even when inspiration is lacking and circumstances are suboptimal. As painter Chuck Close said, “Inspiration is for amateurs — the rest of us just show up and get to work.”


Creativity blesses others

Finally, creative work done well demonstrates God’s kindness to others. Beautiful art, music, choreography, and architecture enrich our lives. Artistry nourishes our souls. It is one way God showers his common grace over humanity - and the world cannot do without it.

So, if God has gifted you with artistic talent and creativity, use it to his glory! Follow his command and cultivate the world through your creativity. Doing so may sometimes feel difficult or uninspired, but your labour will make the world more vibrant. Spend your life for the glory of God and the good of others, and start creating.

To whom are you singing?

Worshipping God together is an extraordinary privilege. But there are two equal and opposite errors we can fall into when it comes to corporate worship and singing. 

The first is to approach the whole thing with no expectation of encountering God. Maybe you arrive late. You sing somewhat half-heartedly, if at all. Your mind is on all sorts of things except the words you’re singing. And your expectations are met perfectly; you didn’t anticipate meeting with God, and you were not wrong.

The other error may be just as bad. This is when you enter into a time of worship imagining that it’s all about you and God. Maybe you attempt to block out everyone else around you. It doesn’t matter who is (or isn’t) in the room, because you’re all about that deeply personal, very private sense of encounter.

Both approaches are wrong when you begin to understand what singing is all about, and to whom it’s directed. Paul calls on us to be filled with the Spirit, 

‘…addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart…’ (Eph 5.19)

You’re singing ‘to the Lord with your heart’, which means that a certain sense of reverence and expectation is right, when you come to a gathering with God’s people. You know that God is listening. You know that he loves your singing, that he wants your adoration and love, and that he promises to meet with those who draw near to him. So, even before you arrive, you’re preparing your heart in order to give your best.

But equally, you’re ‘addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs’, which means that you’re meant to be fully aware of the people around you. You’re looking at them. You’re singing to them, and they’re singing to you. This is one reason we conduct our Upper Room gatherings in the round, all up close and facing each other; it’s so that you can see and hear each other, and feel the powerful encouragement and strengthening to your soul that accompanies the roar of praise rising from the saints.

Let us be a church that is known for our raucous and passionate praise, both to bless God and each other.