You are probably wondering what it looks like from the stage, well here it is. It can be very intimidating at first. Every Sunday when the countdown begins my palms are cold and sweaty, my heart is racing a million beats per second, and I have to use the bathroom. Yep! Until I actually strum the first chord on my guitar and say “What’s up Life Pointe”, anything before that is chaos. I don’t remember the last time I wasn’t nervous before one of my rock shows nor leading worship. Once I start, it feels like I can’t stop. I guess when something is your passion you get nervous about it, I think I’d start worrying the day I am not nervous. It can get tough looking out into the crowd, because thoughts race in your head, “I wonder if they’re enjoying themselves? They’re rock’n!, He looks bored? Wow! New people, Life Pointe is going to just blow up with people! ” I start having visions of our future..so on and so forth and while all that is going on I’m trying to sing the worship songs. This isn’t the case every-time, but maybe most. That is where the challenge is to seize the moment and forget about everything else. Sign off from your day to day stuff and just have your worship experience.
I’m not gonna lie at times it seems I have a bullseye on me. I am an easy target for critique, criticism, praise and the fashion police! I’ve learned to not pay attention nor entertain those thoughts. It isn’t easy, but necessary. You gotta “rise above that” and go to the next level. We’re out on a mission and we are going to finish at all costs. So you think you got what it takes to lead worship? Sounds chaotic huh? It’s great, it keeps you on your toes all the time. Every second counts! So I dare you to indulge in the worship experience with sOuL rAdIo!
EXCELLENT post Jesse, and you hit the nail squarely on the head there. The day that you get up on that stage and you’re NOT nervous with butterflies is the day that you should probably walk off of that stage. Being nervous is being real. It’s being human. Any (honest) performer whether it be an actor, a singer, a dancer (I can relate), a musician, a Pastor, a public speaker, a teacher, etc. will tell you that they do their best work when they are nervous.
I was once one of the shyest most timid dudes I have ever known, and to this day I still have ENORMOUS stage fright and fear of large crowds. That must seem really strange considering the fact that I just recently extended an offer to host one of Casey’s upcoming loud and rambunctious ‘Rock Pointe Productions’ shows. I’m like, ‘Whatever ! Let’s rock !’
Cool! Thanks Chris. Someone is reading my sweat, tears and blood of a blog!