My new resolution for 2012 – to start practising my guitar again. I’ve actually made that resolution a few times before as well, it just didn’t work out. I hope this time will be different.
This article might sound a bit selfish, but it means something to me. When I started learning to play the guitar I always wanted to play in a place with flashing lights, a super excited band, a cool backdrop, jumping audience etc., I used to see videos of churches like Hillsong(especially Hillsong-united) and think how cool it would be to play in a place like that. In reality though, it took me a few years to even get the chance to play with a decent band and as time went on and I started working, I kind of lost the interest to practice the guitar. I was happy playing where I got the opportunity to.
Playing with the Uturn band
Last year I got the chance to go to Japan for work and in Japan I was part of a super cool church called JesusLifehouse. When I walked into church and saw the band play, the first thing that came to my mind was –‘hmm, could I play here???’ And in time I got the opportunity to play the guitar in that church. It was so awesome. Being part of the worship team there was more than just playing music. It was about God and people. Commitment was highly valued. The amount of time spent for practice was very less, but each person practiced their part really hard and together the band always (almost always) sounded perfect. I knew that, every time I got on stage to play I was contributing to the bigger cause of reaching the lost for Jesus.
So when I played with the band there for the first time, it was like a dream come true for me. There were flashing lights, a super excited band, singers who were all over the place, an awesome backdrop, jumping audience and still God was being glorified and people’s lives were being changed. (I must admit that I’m pretty self –conscious while playing the guitar though, haha). When I came home that night, I thanked God for remembering things that I gave up. It still reminds me of what an awesome God I serve. If He even cares about the little dreams I have, then imagine about my big dreams – my awesome future, things I wanna do for God. I can never stop being excited about the great plans he has for my life.
Jer 29:11 is a verse that has always spoken to me. But it comes with a condition in verse 13 that has challenged me as well.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart (Jer 29:11,13)
Divinity 