To my Brothers & Sisters in the Lord - Let me start by saying, "God is Good -- all the time!"
I have a personal testimony to offer about how the Lord has blessed me with the desire of my heart -- to become a bass player in my church. It's a little long but if I can't tell it here, who else can I tell it to?
I've been wanting to be a bass player for a long time -- since way back in my trombone-playing days in college -- 30 years ago. A few years ago, I bought a bass with the intent of playing in church but it was slow going. For the past couple of years, I have been working at it. Practicing -- taking lessons -- buying instructional DVD's -- playing with CD's -- trying to develop some skills. As all of you know, it's very hard doing it by yourself at home.
As an aside, I live in Minneapolis and finding a church home here has been difficult. I visited a lot of churches but nothing ever seemed to feel right. A couple of years ago, I attended a musical at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church and I liked it. I went back a couple of times but never joined.
This year, my Lady and I decided that we'd find a church and join together. We went back to Mt. Olivet and it felt like "home" to us. During my visits, I struck up conversations with the MOM and the bass player (who can play his butt off, BTW) and they were very welcoming and gracious. I asked a lot of questions about the church and the ministries and liked the answers I received. I also mentioned that I was a fledgling bass player and wanted to play in church one day. Again, they were very welcoming.
By mid-January, we'd made up our minds, Mt. Olivet was the place for us. During the week before we joined the church, I ran into the MOM again and asked him, "If I were to join the church, where is the most pressing need for new members to serve?" His answer blew me away -- he told me, "YOU are needed right here -- with us -- in the Ministry of music -- playing Bass!" That wasn't expected and while it sounded good, I took it with a grain of salt -- after all, the man had never heard me play anything.
That Sunday, we joined the church and when the Pastor asked me where I wanted to serve, I answered before the congregation, "In the Ministry of Music." (Amens, Ooooh's and Ahhhs from the congregation followed.)
Fast forward to the next week. I received an e-mail from the MOM telling me that he wanted me to become the bass player for the Celestial Choir (The Adult Choir) and that I needed to come to choir rehearsal and pick up the CD of the 2008 repertoire. I sat though rehearsal and listened to them practice. At the conclusion of rehearsal, he asked me to stand up and he said, "I'd like everyone to meet Dwayne Dixon -- when he completes his New Member classes, he will be the bass player for our Choir." I was totally flabbergasted -- I didn't expect it to come down THAT quickly!!!
Okay -- now, I'm worried but praying. I took the CD home and started shedding hard -- I mean HARD! The next week, I spoke to the bass player and he mentioned a conversation he had with the MOM.
Bass Player (James): "I see you have Dwayne getting ready to go."
MOM: "Yes -- he seems to be very excited"
James: "Yes, he is that. By the way, have you heard him play?"
MOM: "No -- haven't you?"
James: "Ahhh, No -- I haven't"
When I heard about THAT convo, I got worried. I mean, I know how hard I've been working but still -- they had taken a BIG leap of faith with me. Additionally, I have NEVER played in Church and have only played my bass in public one time -- at a local Blues Jam.
I decided that I need to know where I stood so this past Saturday, I invited James to my house for a shed session. He came by and we rapped for a while and then I put on a CD -- Kurt Carr's "Awesome Wonder" -- and I played "Jesus Can work It Out." along with the CD (FYI, that's a song I've been practicing for a long time.)
After the song ended I looked at him for some feedback and he simply nodded and said, "You'll do just fine." From there we worked for about 2 hours and had a great session.
Today, I spoke to the MOM and this is what he told me ...
"I understand you and James worked together over the weekend. He had really good things to say about you. As a matter of fact, his exact words were, 'That Brother can PLAY!!!' He said you were precise and on point!"
We went on to discuss when my first "appearance" with the Choir will be (April 6th) and he also invited me to perform with the Choir at an out-of-town revival/visitation. I'm not ashamed to say that after the telephone convo, I was skipping around the house like a 6-year old!!!
The point of this lengthy note is to simply to remind ya'll that we serve a Mighty and Awesome God and to tell how he has blessed me and opened a door that I didn't even know was there.
God is truly good -- all the time!!!