Standing in the Gap

Matthew 6:8
Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

The people directly involved with our contemporary praise service, "The Way," are all key in making our time of worship run smoothly.  There are four of us in the band:  David on drums; Rob on bass; Danny on guitar and lead vocals, and myself on guitar/percussion and harmony.  Then, there's Dave, our sound tech, who makes sure each service is correctly recorded and the sound levels balanced.  His wife, Angie, runs our slide show which Danny creates each week. This is absolutely essential as the words to the songs are on the screen so the congregation can join in.  Their two sons, Bradford and Preston, are our faithful "roadies" who help us set up/break down our equipment so we can make way for the 11:00 service.

Needless to say, when any one person in this modest entourage is absent, it leaves a gap.  A huge gap!  Everyone has a job to do.  Everyone is essential.

One Sunday recently, David tells Danny that he will be out of town the following weekend.  No drummer!  In light of this, Danny selects songs which he feels we can carry in David's absence, although none of us is looking forward to leading worship without him.

Two days later, Angie lets Danny know that their family won't be available that same Sunday as they are going on vacation.  Yikes!  Panic mode!

Danny contacts Chris, our marvelous music minister, informing him of our plight.  Chris doesn't skip a beat.  He secures Scott, a relatively new member of our church, to man the sound system, and recruits Scott's wife, Ann, to run the slide show.  Whew!  At least that end is covered!  We'll still have to set up/break down by ourselves and deal with no drummer.  But, we are immeasurably grateful for the help.

When we are about ten minutes away from beginning the service, Danny sets up his laptop for the slide show and briefs Ann on how to run it.  He smiles and gives a thumbs-up to Scott who is behind her in the sound booth.

"So glad you can help us out today," Danny tells him.  "The only thing missing today is the drummer."

Scott's face beams.  "I play drums."

Danny is floored.  "You're kidding?  Really?  And, you'd be willing to try this without practice?"

"Sure," Scott assures him.  "If Chris has some extra drumsticks around here, we can go back to the music equipment room and run through the selections."

"I'm game if you are," an elated Danny responds.  "We'll just leave the soundboard on automatic and hope for the best.  Let's go!"

There's no time to lose!  Chris, thankfully, rounds up the drumsticks, and Scott and Danny beat a hasty retreat to the music room where they can hurriedly, and I mean hurriedly, review the songs.  They have less than five minutes!!!

With 30 seconds to go before launching service, I scoot to the room to let them know they are out of time.  And, I say a prayer.

More than one . . .

Wow!  Scott is fantastic!  Sure, we miss some song endings, but without practice, what could anyone expect?  He follows Danny's lead beautifully and keeps the perfect beat during our songs.  And, the congregation?  Loved every minute of it!

Once again, our precious Lord, who knows our needs before we ask, stands in the gap.  Thanks be to God!

~

When has God met your needs before you asked?

Will you pray with me?

We thank you, Father, for knowing our needs before we ask, and for providing us with every good thing.  May we ever seek first Your kingdom, secure in the knowledge that You love us and will shower us with blessings we could never have expected nor imagined.  Amen.