Be an Angel

It's a sweet, southern phrase, right?

Jimmy, be an angel and get grandma's keys.

Becky, be an angel and get daddy a Diet Coke.

But, worship leading team member, did it ever occur to you that you can be an angel?

If you are, what does that mean for your level of preparation, promptness, and presentation?

Y'all are smart people. You know that angel is simply a word that means "messenger." So any time you take a message from God to the people of God, you are being His messenger.

His angel.

But check out one of the most stunning verses of scripture I've ever been given eyes to see: "Then the angel said, 'I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!'" (Luke 1:19)

I stand in the very presence of God.

WOW!

Can you imagine?

I hope so. In fact, I hope you can more than imagine; I hope you can remember.

My Christ-following friend, when you pray, you are in the very presence of God. When you praise, you are in the very presence of God. And when you do that on your own, in what many call "the secret place," and afterwards you get to sit down in the tech booth, or grab an instrument and/or a microphone, and then -- in so many words -- say to the folks in the seats, "My name is _________. I stand in the very presence of God. It was He who sent me to bring you this good news."

And then we BRING IT!

So what does this mean for your preparation, promptness, and presentation?

First, I'd offer a precursor: we are not "playing in the band at church." We are fulfilling a high and holy calling. It's not so much that the church needs us as that we have the enormous honor of bringing good news from the Presence of Jesus Christ to the people of Jesus Christ. Wow!

So we prepare enough that we're not thinking about the music. We learn the notes, rhythms, chords, and lyrics on our own—before rehearsal—so that we can get to the other side of precision where we find Presence.

And we are prompt for rehearsals, sound checks, and services, because we are not playing or singing for a pastor/leader; we are playing, singing, or serving in tech ministry for the Star-slinger!

And we present ourselves fully to every moment of the service, doing work of which God would approve. Remember 2 Timothy 2:15: "Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth."

Can you imagine Gabriel, back in Luke 1 not being fully prepared to break through the curtain between the seen and unseen realm when he spoke to Mary, the mother of Jesus? Can you imagine Gabriel showing up late? Can you imagine Gabriel not being fully present, either to the God of the Universe or to the recipient of staggeringly good news?

Me either.

So, my friend, be an angel.