The Joy of Rambling

It’s 8:38 a.m. on Sunday. In my past life I would have been 8 minutes into our first church service of the morning, leading worship, singing my heart out, aware of every note, beat and vocal harmony offered by my band and team, keeping it all in check while focusing on loving God, feeling His presence and inviting the congregation to go there with me. As I write these words, it all comes back and I’m filled with gratitude for having been given so many Sunday mornings to thrill in this experience. If you’ve led worship, you know what I’m talking about.

This morning I will wait until 11:00 so I can tune in to the live-stream broadcast of the second service and watch my band and team continue doing what they’ve done for years: giving all they have to hopefully draw someone into that heavenly moment of meeting Jesus face to face. What a gift we’ve been given—access to the God of the universe!

And when that broadcast starts, and Troy (the talented musician/leader we hired when I retired), invites the people to stand and worship, I will be once again ushered into that most holy place where I commune with the living God through music. Here, I feel heard, understood, loved and safe. This power transcends the computer screen and earbuds I’m using. I will not be singing audibly, but mouthing the words so as not to disturb Jim. But it doesn’t matter. God will show up and I will be once again, marveling at his goodness.

“I love you Lord

For your mercy never fails me

And all my life

I’ve been held in your hands,

From the moment that I wake up

Until I lay my head

I will sing of the goodness of God”

–Brian and Jenn Johnson