When we were about to bid farewell to 2019 and excitedly welcome 2020, little did we know that we’d be faced with Covid-19 restrictions, and that in a moment, all of our lives would change drastically. It has been daunting for the whole world to navigate through these unknown waters. I remember having a sense of peace; knowing that God had already promised in Isaiah 43:2 that “when you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you” (NLT).

Church services had to be moved online, and worship teams and church teams all around the globe had to figure out the best way to stay connected with their congregations during these unprecedented times. This season, it has been interesting to see worship leaders adjust to leading worship online, either through pre-recorded sets or live-streamed worship sets via Facebook or YouTube. Some have said that they have struggled with leading without anyone there; they feel like they don’t have anyone to lead without seeing the congregation in front of them. This has challenged me to see the core of being a worshipper of Jesus. What happens when there’s no one in the congregation? What happens when the lights are turned off? What happens when you don’t hear the applause of others? Will you still worship? Will you still praise and lift up the name of Jesus?

Sometimes when we are worshipping together in a live community, we ‘rely’ on others to help us get to that sweet place of worship between us and the Father. Has it been challenging or easy as you click on your church’s service link to worship along to a pre-recorded set list?

I love that Matthew 6:5–6 encourages all of us to go into that secret, quiet place — to worship and pray to God simply and authentically, just as we are, with no roleplaying. The sweetest place of worship where I have encountered Jesus is in my bedroom, singing unto Him with the doors closed, no microphones, no cameras, no makeup, my hair put up in a messy topknot and in my comfy pyjamas.

Even before Covid-19, I’ve always loved going into that secret place, sitting and soaking in His presence. Daily quiet time and worship with the Lord has always been a non-negotiable. I encourage worship leaders and vocalists to see that if we’re not cultivating that lifestyle of worship in that secret place, we’d be leading out of an empty place. If we’re not drawing from the well daily, where will we be pouring out from?

My dear sister, I want to encourage you to keep worshipping Jesus even when it may feel like no one is there worshipping with you. Yes, the lights might be turned off. Yes, there are no microphones and stages. Yes, there’s no one next to you worshipping alongside you. Yes, we miss in-person community. But Jesus is still here — worthy of all our praise and worship. Will you keep worshipping Him even when no one’s looking? Take heart, do not fear. Worshipping Jesus in every season will be the anchor for your soul.