Power Sources

Daryl B. is a “jack of all trades.” He does sound, video, editing, producing. He helps people with their computers, coaches his girls’ team, fixes cars and is a wonderful husband and father to his wife and girls. I remember several years ago calling Daryl and asking him to come fix my computer. My keyboard that entered music into my PC wasn’t working. No matter what I tried, I couldn’t get my Finale program on my computer to recognize it. I’ll never forget Daryl walking into my office that day. The first thing he checked turned out to be the culprit.

IT WASN’T PLUGGED IN!

Somehow, the plug had slipped out of the wall. I just assumed it was still connected and never even thought of checking something so simple.

I tell this story because I think it often times parallels our Christian journeys. There are times when we get frustrated and work and work to find solutions, when the simple answer is, “we’re not plugged in” to the right source. We’ve lost our intimate connection with the Father. I think this is particularly challenging in American churches. Especially Baptist churches! We are so geared towards service that sometimes we get used to operating out of our own strength, which fizzles out. We have to constantly renew our spirits and our work by daily, unbroken time with God. “Pray without ceasing.” “…offer your bodies as living sacrifices…” “…be transformed…”

Secondly, we need accountability. As much as I had tried to figure out the problem with my computer, I was focused on the wrong thing. I was messing with the software when it was the hardware that was the problem. I needed Daryl’s eye to come in and see the problem and show it to me. We need people in our lives who can do that for us spiritually. We need people we can trust and confide in. We need people who can see with a clearer vision that we are capable of at the time, and who can help us correct our course.

Lately, I’ve gone through such a time spiritually. I’ve felt anxious and worried. I finally realized that I wasn’t plugged in to the right source. It wasn’t that I was being intentionally rebellious or committing awful acts. It was simply that I was relying on the wrong things to sustain me. I was relying on my own strength, my own intellect, my own schedule, etc. I was relying on ME. That’s quite a poor substitute for God’s unyielding power! As anxiety, insecurity and doubt crept into my life, I began asking lots of questions from people I trust. Through their loving accountability, God cleared my vision and helped me get plugged back into a vibrant, growing, intentional relationship with Him. It has been amazing how that slight course correction has turned the things in my life that were becoming work into joy!

So, I want to encourage you. As worship leaders, it’s easy to get focused on the tasks at hand. But to be effective, we must first and foremost focus on the Father!

Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6