And after He dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. – Matthew 14:23

I remember the first time I got to play guitar with a worship team.  I felt like God had given me something really, really special.  You see, I thought when I was a teenager that I wanted to play guitar in a rock band.  I got to do it for a while on a super small scale.  However, when I got saved, I knew for sure that it wasn’t in the cards for me.  I gave that dream up.  So, when I got to play in front of a crowd at church, I was exhilarated.  I felt like God had given it back to me and then some.  He made something that I thought I wanted to do even better.  

I got to do that for a few years.  I loved it.  Once again though, the time came where I knew I had to give it up.  It hurt kind of badly.  I really felt like that was a dream God was going to make last.  Up to that point, I only practiced the songs we would be doing on Sundays during the week.  I would then practice with the band on Thursday nights, and then play the songs on Sunday.  After that was all over, there was this amazing moment.  I took my guitar and went outside.  I told God that I wanted to play Him a song . . . not because I was to play it in front of a crowd this Sunday, but because I loved Him.  I can’t even begin to tell you the power in it.  What a difference!

Right now, I have an opportunity to meet with a friend.  We have been meeting up to pray regularly.  In fact, it is a time and place that has to do with our jobs.  We have often said, “I can’t believe God is paying us to do this!” 

This week is Spring Break.  I asked him if he would meet and pray anyway . . . not because we are getting paid, but because we love Him.  He said yes.  I am looking so forward to giving this offering to God.

I only say this stuff because I wish I had understood this concept earlier in my life.  I have been so selfish over the course of my life and have so often only sought glory for myself.  I have learned that I could not be more like Satan than when I am behaving in such a way.  This week, find some time to dismiss the crowds, go somewhere by yourself, and pray.  You just might discover a raw power that you didn’t even know existed.  

Lord, help me to decrease as You increase.  I don’t want to even imagine all the times that I maybe did something in Your Name, but it was all really for myself.  I just want to say that I am sorry.  With all my heart, mind, and strength, I want to learn to love You.  Help me to do just that.  I want to be pure and spotless on that glorious day that I meet You in glory.  I know I can’t do it on my own because I know what I’m like.  But with You, Lord . . . You give me just enough of these holy moments to let me know that You are working on me and that I’m right on schedule.  I can’t thank You enough!  Thank You for giving Your life for me and making this all possible.  Thank You for this week where we all think about You just a little more intensely.  There is and never will be another like You.  I love You!  Amen.