This has been a really good weekend spiritually. I think I finally know what it’s like to be truly used by God, to step away from the controls and let Him take over. I led worship for a men’s conference/retreat this evening. It was just me, a piano, a microphone, a water bottle, 45 minutes, 35 men eager for an encounter with God…and God Himself. I’ll tell you, I didn’t feel very prepared, but I’m convinced that is the place where God works. It’s a place where I have to depend on Him because I know I’ll fall utterly short, and I would have had it not been for His presence in that place and His grace on this simple vessel of clay. Despite there being no full band, no amazing sound system, no lyrics on the screen, and all those other things that have been what I’ve known as church for all these years, I can’t say I’ve ever felt so sure I met with God. I went thinking I was helping a group of guys worship, but found myself experiencing God like never before. The men were blessed by the Lord, and I’m humbled that I was used in that. I too was completely blessed.

I’ve finally figured out that preparation of the heart far surpasses musical preparation in importance, despite how many times I’ve heard it over the years. I’ve been longing for an experience like this for quite a while, and now that I know it really happens, I look forward to the next time and pray that it’s sooner than I can imagine…hopefully tomorrow morning.

Soli Deo Gloria!

~matt