Take this moment

Take this moment, sign and space;
take my friends around;
here among us make the place
where your love is found.

Take the time to call my name,
take the time to mend
who I am and what I’ve been,
all I’ve failed to tend.

Take the tiredness of my days,
take my past regret,
letting your forgiveness touch
all I can’t forget.

Take the little child in me,
scared of growing old;
help him here to find his worth
made in Christ’s own mould.

Take my talents, take my skills,
take what’s yet to be;
let my life be yours, and yet,
let it still be me.

We sang these verses this morning in church accompanied by the band that I play in. The words resonate with me tonight. It was our monthly All Age Worship and also the designated worship service for a brass music festival. It fell to me to lead the worship and I did so along with playing in the band.

I have been part of this band since I was wee - as I told everyone when introducing the band, when I joined the band my legs barely touched the floor when I sat in my chair!! (So I have been a part of the band for a long, long time!!!!)
The band have never heard or seen me 'do what I do.' And I think this was why I was more than a little apprehensive about the service - I didn't get to sleep until after 3am last night.

But you know, this was one of the best services I have ever led. It all went very smoothly - the band played well, everyone engaged with what was going on and there was a real sense of the Holy Spirit moving in the church.

There was something special about today - I was nervous - not something I am often bothered with these days. But as I travelled home I realised that actually, maybe worship leading is one of my strengths after all. I have always thought that perhaps my gift was in community engagement and outreach - but I have come to realise that during leading worship I come alive. As I have become more confident, I have also become more animated, more fluid, more passionate.

Today was special....and now I am tired and a little emotional but exhilarated, motivated, excited. God does amazing things...and today was one of them.

Take my talents, take my skills,
take what’s yet to be;
let my life be yours, and yet,
let it still be me
Amen!!