October 10th, 2012
When I was in my teen years, my family and I were helping lead worship for a small church in the Texas Hill Country. We’d come to serve by way of helping the new church “get on its feet.” Over time, the Sunday morning service became so full that the leadership felt it wise to begin offering an early service. The “oh-so-early” service always had trouble maintaining filled pews – never more than just the meager handful of those willing to get up with the sun in order to be there.
Our worship team always rose early on those Sundays. Before the service came prelude, before the prelude was practice, before the practice were all the sound logistics to be set in order, and before that, our intimate group shared in prayer and in setting our hearts right before God—long before we’d think of trying to lead others to His throne.
It had been just such a Sunday morning. Prayer, sound checks, practice, and prelude had all come and gone, and it was time to start the service. Only one thing differed. Rather than having the usual group of faithful worshippers in the seats before me, I looked across the sanctuary and saw only empty pews, (except the first few seats being filled by the pastor’s own family.)
In those minutes before our group led worship in that empty space, I took a piece of paper and quickly jotted down all that was filling my heart—worship would never be truer than when only God could hear. I found my spirit delighted by the prospect of offering such a gift in its most unadulterated form. God was here even if no one else had come – He was present just as He always is… and He was listening. I’d like to think the offering had brought Him pleasure –that He was not only listening but smiling, as well.
This song is dedicated in love to all those who serve God in countless unseen, unrecognized ways across his wide world. Without giving the service that only God can see, His Kingdom would be robbed of its most precious treasures.
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men;” -Colossians 3:23 AKJV
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, Who is unseen. Then your Father, Who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” -Matthew 6:6 NIV
When Only You Can Hear
I look across an empty room with lights turned dim and low.
This is a sacred moment which so few many ever know.
I pray and know the whispered words are reaching Heaven’s ear.
I sing most true when only You can hear.
When only You are listening; when only You can hear.
I find my motives purest, my heartcry the most dear.
When I seek just Your heartbeat, Your Spirit draws me near.
The worship is most precious when only You can hear.
I look across the empty seats, and then I somehow feel
I’ve entered in the Holy Place, and at Christ’s feet I kneel.
I whisper how I love You; then I find that You are here.
My heart’s most free, when only You can hear.
When only You are listening; when only You can hear.
I find my motives purest, my heartcry the most dear.
When I seek just Your heartbeat, Your Spirit draws me near.
The worship is most precious when only You can hear.
Written: June 12th, 2005
©2005 Amy Elizabeth Salter (Rutherford)
