Every now and again, I’m reminded of why I love what I do. Now, keep in mind, I’m blessed to be in a career that God has clearly called me to, doing a job I enjoy in a church I greatly appreciate. So even on a weekend that felt a little “rough” (at least to me) I can still look around and think, “If this is as bad as it gets, I’m still doing OK.” So for me anyway, the baseline is pretty high. I am almost always satisfied with my current lot in life. But every so often, something comes around that just takes me over the edge. And in those moments, I’m filled with a sense of overwhelming joy that I actually get paid to do this.
Our Christmas Production a few weeks ago was one of those times. It was an incredible weekend–one in which thousands came to our building and heard the compelling story of redemption and the gospel. In fact, that was perhaps the first Christmas Production I’ve ever been a part of where I didn’t want to quit afterward. It was a powerful show, and the cast and crew made it more so.
And now this week, for the last two nights anyway, I’ve once again been reminded. Normally, the staff at Coast Hills takes the week between Christmas and New Years off. The office is closed and everyone is out doing there thing. This year, I was invited to be part of the Sr. High Ministries Winter Camp. My role here is all things technical; sound, lights and video. The bait that initially drew me was a free 3-day pass to ski in Utah. But at night, when the hundred or so students and leaders gather for worship and teaching, I’m reminded.
I’ll just go ahead and throw it out there that I’ve had a hard time with the worship the past two nights. Not because I disagree with the music or have some big issue in my life. Rather, I have gotten so overwhelmed with the power and glory of God that I can’t sing. It’s just about all I can do to mix. That sense of overwhelm doesn’t come from the fact that the sound is so great (though it’s OK), or from an out of this world band (though they are pretty decent). Instead, there’s something that happens when students are raising the roof in praise of Jesus. And raise the roof we do–it’s loud in that little conference room!
There is something so real and raw about hearing the words from the lips of teenagers, and watching them raise their hands and cry out to God–especially when my daughter is one of them. It just wrecks me.
And that’s when I remember that I’m pretty blessed to be able to do what I do. Not because of the lift tickets or the great accommodations (it’s a Comfort Inn, after all). But instead because I get to be part of an incredible voice of praise to our Creator. I hope you have had an opportunity to be a part of something like that.
What wrecks you? What moves you to tears when you do what you do?
Subscribe in RSS Reader
Sounds like you are suffering from a perfect couple of days. Good band, the right message, and God-made snow!
Greg
I tend to be moved by the sermon. But then I’m also the type of person more likely to sing in my car than during church.
I was blessed after the Christmas eve service when I had 4-5 people positively comment on the quality of the sound. Typically I don’t get any comments. I didn’t feel I had done any better than normal but the congregation noticed something different. As a volunteer (and a busy one at that, any positive comments are blessings).