Leading Worship When You're Sick

I hardly ever get sick.  It may be because I grew up one of eight kids and germs were the least of my worries making my immune system an impenetrable fortress.  It may be because my wife is a health and fitness guru who’s got my back.  It may simply be the Lord’s favor.  Whatever the reason, I hardly every get sick.  Last Sunday, I got sick.  

As a Worship Leader this is a really tough place to be.  We’re in charge.  We’re responsible.  We need to be there, so I was there.  But after one of our singers let me know they were also sick and almost canceled I only had one thought, “His power is made perfect in my weakness” 

The Apostle Paul made it very clear in 2 Corinthians 12.  I’ve been some places.  I’ve done some things.  I was “caught up into paradise…and heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.” (V.3-4)  But there was a flip side.  “To keep me from becoming conceited…a thorn was given me in the flesh.” (V. 7) There was something constantly reminding Paul, big shot or not, you’re only human.  I don’t believe every time we get sick it’s God way of saying I’m going to take you down a notch but being sick and leading through it is a great time to remember God’s grace.  

As God spoke to Paul and God speaks to us:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 

2 Cor. 12:9

So with Paul, let's say:

"Therefor I will boast all the more gladly in my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.  For when I am weak, then I am strong."

2 Cor. 12:9-10

Ask the Lord to work and move in spite of your physical condition.

Ask the Lord to fill you with His Spirit.

To give you strength despite your weakness.  To give you boldness despite your frailty.  To give you peace despite your fear.

This is a wonderful reminder that it is not our voices that move the hearts of God’s people but God himself.  If He chooses He can do it with the voice of a donkey.  

So next time you’re sick get to bed early, drink some tea, say a prayer and expect big things.