New Breath

I started leading youth worship when I was 13 and enjoyed it right away even though I was new to it. A couple of years later, when I was 15 or later after much practice doing the real thing, I started dreaming of how I would lead worship and imagined how free I could be, doing it. The dream or rather picture grew bigger and bolder as I grew through leading worship for Sunday School, MYF and main service. I knew I had "it".

Thinking back, the picture must have started building when I went to a non-traditional concert held in Ipoh by an Australian band. If I am not mistaken, it was Planet Shakers which I first 'saw', years ago. It birthed in me the desire to lead God's people to worship Him freely, and joyfully. I attended a traditional church. Well, to say that the church is totally traditional is untrue as it was and is still moving towards a more charismatic type of worship, albeit in a snail mode. Hey, I am not complaining, in fact, I love hymns.

Back to the story. I came to KL to pursue my tertiary education in year 2002. A newbie in church, it was until much later, probably in the beginning of 2003 that I joined this youth worship team called Renewed Generation (known as FLARE now). It was a new ministry in our Campus Youth Zone. So you could say that I was one of the pioneers? :) The 8 months of absence from worship ministry didn't stop me from pursuing this picture I still had in my mind. I guess the desire just grew stronger each day.

After about a year or so (maybe less) in RG, I had to make a major decision. Up until then, worship had been a major part of my life, despite me being involved in other ministries. I had to choose between RG or Cell leadership. I chose the latter. It was a difficult decision for me, really. Hard to let go of that picture I constantly had in my mind but deep down I knew it was the right choice to make, for that season of my life.

In time, I totally lost that dream I used to have. And I mean TOTALLY. I stopped listening to worship CDs as often as I used to. And I didn't have a piano in KL to lay my hands on. It really didn't help. I just lost it. The past 2 years have been the driest season of my life, spiritually. The picture came to mind once in a blue moon, but I just brushed it aside all the time, thinking that it'll probably not come true since I was not doing anything related to the worship ministry.

Since Saturday, the picture started to fill my mind again, and I do not know for what reason. Sure do hope it's the mark of a new season for me, from the desert to the sea or in a lesser measure, an oasis! God HAS been doing great and immeasureable things for me this year and it does not look as though it's stopping anytime soon. I am SMILING from ear to ear though the journey has not been easy entirely.

To God be the Glory,
Great things He hath done,
So loved He the world that,
He gave us His son,
Who yielded His life
An atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate,
That I may go in.

Praise the Lord,
Praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice,
Praise the Lord,
Praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice,
Oh come to the Father,
Through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the Glory,
Great things He hath done!

just one life,
gracey