Desires and Learning Curves

It's a good thing God doesn't listen to us sometimes when we voice our desires. Ok, He does listen to us, but it's a good thing He doesn't give us what we ask for when we ask for it.

Take my desire to lead worship, for instance. The thing I pleaded with God to let me try, the thing I was sure He wanted me to do and was preparing me for.

A few years ago I definitely knew what it would take to lead worship. A good band, a good practice or two, a few cool songs and a congregation willing to sing them.

Right...

A year ago I knew what it would take to lead worship. A good voice, a willingness for the worship team leader to let me try it, the support of the team, a few good songs, and a congreagtion willing to sing them.

Right...

A few months ago I knew what it would take to lead worship. A few candles, some cool music, edgy graphics, creative lighting, a couple of worship stations, the support of the worship team leader, a few good songs, and a congregation willing to sing them.

Right...

Now I know I'm nowhere near worthy or ready to lead worship. Who am I to dictate how others worship? Who am I to LEAD, to take them by the nose-ring into places they may not want to go? Who am I to presume where they are in their God-walk and lead them on from there - though I may be many miles behind them?

I'd still like to help FACILITATE worship one day - to help others find God one-on-one within the walls of a church building, or without its walls. I'd like a background role, adding a new way of seeing and doing things perhaps, being an idea person or the one that does the grunt work.

But lead it? No, not me. Only God can truly direct and lead His followers in worship. We can but follow His Spirit.

Thanks, God, for not listening to me when I had all those "bright" ideas!!! You really knew what You were doing on that one...