Preparing our Hearts

As many of you know, our church is building a new sanctuary. A giant, massive place that we will be able to fit everyone in, instead of having two services. This week they had the Early Commitment dinners for the new building campaign (to help raise the money to pay for the building). I was able to go on Monday night to this and sit and enjoy a great dinner, adult conversation, and hear about whats going to be happening and tour the new sanctuary (which I actually have already done). So what was so special about this night that I'm writing about it? Well I'll tell you, but first I have to give you some background.

Ever since they started the new building, I've been kind of having a mini (and sometimes not so mini) freak out about the whole thing. Whats to freak out about right? Well I'm getting ready to be very honest here, so here goes. I was freaking out about the band and where my place would be in all this. Sounds pretty shallow I know. Trust me. But really it was some of the same things that others were having a hard time with. Like, what kind of music would we do when we go into the new building, would Genesis (our contemporary service) still be around and if so, in what aspect, would there be a choir and orchestra, would they even still need the Genesis band? So when I started flipping out, thats when I started praying. And let me tell you, God has been doing a LOT of work on my heart and preparing me for this transition. First thing I got hit with was it doesn't matter what kind of music we're doing, as long as I'm doing what God has called me to and doing it with a joyful, worshipful spirit. This took some time for me to really accept and embrace. I was scared! I'd never played with a choir or orchestra (well not bass anyways) and I didn't think I'd like it or enjoy it. I was contemplating quitting the band or going to a new church even! WOAH, right?! So yea, I'm past that now. I'm okay with whatever happens. We can play whatever music, with a choir and orchestra, or whatever! I know that I will still be here playing bass in whatever capacity is needed because this is where God has called me.

So the big question I keep getting asked by people is, "What happens to Genesis?" and "What happens to the band?". Well, I don't have all the answers people. But I will say that Genesis will be done. What's the point of having a giant worship center and still running an overflow service when its not needed? Because thats what Genesis was always meant as. An overflow service that we started out of necessity. As far as the band goes, I don't know. I don't know what will happen to the band, but I do know that all the band members will still be there and still be playing in whatever capacity we are needed.

Okay, so now that I've given that background, I can tell you the really exciting part! The exciting thing that happened on Monday night, is that after all the freaking out I've done over the new sanctuary, I got to actually encourage and help calm the nerves of this great couple on Monday night! Some of you are thinking, whats so special about that? Well, despite what MANY people think, one of my spiritual gifts (and this always surprises me too) is encouragement. Yea I know, I'm the super negative, depressing and brutally honest person, but yea, apparently I'm a great encourager. lol. So this older couple, that has been faithful in coming to Genesis, and LOVES it asked me what would happen to Genesis and the band once the new sanctuary is open. So I told them exactly what I just told you above. I got to share with them my personal struggles with all this and how God has softened my heart, shown me how prideful and shallow I've been, and change me. I got to tell them that I'm okay with the change. No, it's not going to be the same as Genesis, and it probably will never be like that again, BUT it'll be BETTER! I got to tell them that I'm actually excited to move into the new sanctuary and that yes, it will be hard the first month or so, but it will be amazing. We will all be in there as a family! This all being said, God used me in such an awesome way Monday night. Nothing I said or did was of my own accord, it was ALL God.

It really is amazing how God prepares you for things and uses our inabilities and weaknesses to help others. I am blown away constantly with how He chooses to use me. And this is just one example, there are so many more. And this experience I hope blessed that couple, but more than that, me being able to help them and talk to them was really a HUGE blessing to ME! So if you go to Genesis and have been thinking about or worried about whats going to happen, all I can say is pray. Pray that God softens your heart. This transition is bigger than me or you and only God can change your heart to a heart of worship and acceptance of what is going to happen.