"The final chord rings out and you feel so completely overwhelmed by the presence of God that you simply do not want to move. Or perhaps it is that you can't move. Either way, that final song, that sense of unified worship, the place of God in the words of the final verse… you sense that this song could take your home congregation to a new place. After the service the next weekend you ask a few members of your worship team to stay back a while as you play for them this new found gem. After some good testing discussion, it is agreed, this song not only will give voice to your congregation, but also happens to beautifully complement next month's sermon series. It is unquestionably a divinely guided song selection.
One month later… The morning arrives and although a number of people couldn't make it to the rehearsal during the week due to late notice, you are undeterred as this is the day that the congregation will exalt God with the help of a piece of extraordinary musical inspiration. Looking around the orchestra, you notice that the percussionist is missing and suddenly remember that you completely forgot to call her. Oh well, it will be a shame to miss that cymbal crescendo… but nothing could hold back this song. It is time!
The first verse goes just as you had hoped. There is a sense of reverent awe entering the church that you can almost smell. Verse 3 arrives and just as the congregation turns the page of their song sheets, the singing almost disappears. Oh nooo! I forgot to fax through verse three and four to the church secretary after it didn't send the first time. You take a breath. This is not a problem! The music washing over the congregation will be powerful enough even on its own. The awe-inspiring climax approaches and you wait with almost uncontrollable anticipation for the full sound of the organ and the key change to take the roof off the church. Then in a moment of disbelief, verse four begins with only the sound of a few lonely piano notes. This cannot be happening! I mean I was on my way over to show the keyboard player how to change over to the pipe organ sound… but I ran out of time. The song comes to an end, and while pleasant enough, you cannot help but ask what happened. Where was the power? Where was the awe? Where was God? Oh well. Maybe it'll be different next time. I guess it wasn't God's will after all.”