Ok, that may not be a totally accurate statement on all fronts, but allow me elaborate.

A few years ago my church was getting ready for our “huge” yearly event. It was up to me to choose and prepare the band. I wanted this event to be spectacular, so we began planning and rehearsing months in advance.

Every practice was all business. We nailed out specifics, tightened parts up, and did it over and over again. I even spent more time practicing at home than ever before.

So now I hate to be “that guy,” but I’m going to ask the question here that I later had to ask myself. Where was Jesus in my preparation? I don’t recall us praying, asking for his guidance, or even asking him to be with us as we prepare. If we did, it sure wasn’t sincere.

My mind became so wrapped in practice that the more I practiced, the further I stepped away from needing Jesus. Everything became about what I could do on my own and not one part of me was relying on Jesus.

That’s the worst place to be, especially if I’m leading other people. The only place I was leading them to was to be better musicians, or better planners.

As musicians, service planners, speakers, media nerds (sorry, I couldn’t resist), we can really allow ourselves to get so wrapped up in preparation that our focus on Jesus falls on the back burner.

Satan loves our practice when it takes our focus off of Jesus. Which is exactly what it did for me.

The opening song of our big event crashed and burned. Someone somehow muted the click track in our ears so we looked like a bunch of deer in headlights. So where did I finally decide to turn when my own abilities weren’t enough? Jesus.

You’re not always going to get a smack in the face like I did to get your focus on track. I believe that many can go years or an entire lifetime without relying on Jesus. I pray that you don’t. Seek him today in all of your practice and preparation.

How have you been able to keep focus on Jesus during preparation?

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