A few years back, Mike Pilavachi and I were invited to Norway for a ministry trip. At the time, Mike had a fear of flying, and he insisted we take the ferry instead of the plane. So unfortunately, what would have been a mere 40 min trip to the airport and a 90 min flight, turned into a 6-hour drive to the ferry, followed by a 26-hour sea crossing. Adding to my nightmare, the only thing to do on the ferry was play bingo, so we were in for a very boring trip. To cut a long story short (and I mean long) I arrived in Norway in a very bad mood.
Finally we arrived at the youth meeting. It was one of those tough meetings, where everything seemd a struggle. I tried lots of different approaches, but nothing seemed to cut through. Everything bombed, no one really entered in, and I felt myself sinking.
Suddenly a song entered my mind. But it wasn't the sort of thing I was wanting to hear at that moment. Instead of hearing a fresh, spontaneous line that would miraculously draw everyone together in worship, all I could think of was the Michael Jackson son "You are not alone", which was currently in the charts. I thought I sensed a little whisper telling me to sing this song next in the worship time. 'I'm not doing that!' I said to myself, and was embarrassed that I'd even thought it. But it wouldn't go away, and I soon faced up to the fact that actually things could only get better, and not worse. So against all my better judgements, I launched myself into the chorus of this song, struggling to guess the chords as I went along: 'You are not along, I am here with you...'
It was a terrifying moment. The minute I started the song I though, 'What are you doing, you idiot? You're meant to be leading worship, not doing cheesy acoustic cover versions!' I can only imagine that's what it feels like to walk a tight-rope. Once you've started walking, there's no way out of it, and the only thing to do is keep on going, and not look down. So I shut my eyes, hoped for the best, and wondered when the next ferry home was.
After the meeting, when I was head down and packing up my guitars, a group of teenagers came up to me. As it turned out, they weren't Christians, and the Michael Jackson song had been the only entry point into the meeting for them. We ended up playing through some other pop songs together, and had a bit of a chat. By the end of our few minutes together I could see their attitude to church had changed a bit. 'Thank you Lord' I though. 'At least something good has come out of this.' As they were leaving, out of the corner of my eye I saw a lady coming up to me in tears. I stopped to speak to her and as she told me her story, I soon realised that God had been working all along. 'I came to this meeting tonight in a terrible state. Ive travelled six hours to get here, all the way crying out to God, "Why have you left me all alone? God You've left me alone, and I'm desperate. I'm going to this meeting as a last resort - I need to hear from You, and know that I'm not alone."'
As I'd sung out that song, 'You are not alone, I am here with you', this lady had broken down in tears. God was answeing her desperate prayers in a very direct, personal way.
This isn't the sort of story that happens to me very often, but it served as a good reminder. We must always leave room for the unpredictable in our worship. Sometimes God, in His wisdom, will step in powerfully, through what may seem like foolishness to us.
As a worhip leader it can be wasy to get into following a certain routine or formula. There's nothing wrong with planning or having a guide by which you choose songs. In fact, that's really important. But let's also leave room for the romance. Have space in your mindset for the whisperings of the Holy Spirit to lead you somewhere fresh at any time.
He talks about doing things "as the Spirit moves" but sometimes I think that's his excuse for not caring to prepare. 
God uses all things for His good! 
Let me not descend into critical thoughts, but be lifted up with my brother and sisters in giving You all praise, honor and glory forever and ever! In Jesus' name, AMEN!
