You may remember from a previous blog post that when I started out in worship ministry – it was all about me being cool and looking like the main man. I aspired to be big and to be seen. I wanted the huge stage, the flashiest guitar (once again, forgive my Shark – I know it’s pretty out there), the lights, smoke machines and the theatrics. I wanted to be the next big worship artist.
I never just strummed a guitar – my arms had to fling around like some sorta Rockstar. My hair had to be a certain way and well if I could, I had to be seen. I mean what was the point of standing on a stage if the pretty girl that I was trying to impress couldn’t see me?
I know, I had a lot to learn (and I still do).
Windhoek 2013 – My first mission trip that was longer than a couple days. In the beginning of that year – our church had our missions launch service. It was basically a service where we highlighted the importance of reaching the lost and indicated which places the church intended on visiting that year. Windhoek, Namibia appeared on the projector screen and immediately I felt that I needed to be a part of that team and boy was a glad that I was!
That mission trip was one of the best things and challenging things I have experienced. I say this because I got to be on a mission trip with two of my best friends BUT at the same time – God used every challenging situation to remind me of how much I still needed to die to myself. There’s nothing like a mission trip to remind you how much life is not about you.
I was given the “worship” portfolio. What that meant is I had to make sure we had someone leading worship whenever it was necessary. If we visited a school or sang together as a team – I needed to make sure we had someone picking songs and leading us.
Each day we had some sort of outreach activity planned. We visited schools, supported the local church and some orphanages. One orphanage holds a very dear place in my heart. God spoke to me so clearly there on the day we visited – I will never forget it.
Everyone was running around playing with the kids and trying to love them as best we could in our limited time. I was already slightly out of my comfort zone but hey… Then someone said, why don’t we sing a few songs! I jumped at the opportunity – that’s where I feel quite comfortable no matter the surroundings. So, we started singing a few well known Sunday school songs – Father Abraham, This Little Light of Mine… and suddenly I pulled a little crowd of wide-eyed kids clapping and singing along. I was in the zone. Then I looked up and caught the eyes of a little girl named Franscilla. She didn’t know it, but she was about to change my life. I had stopped singing for a moment and she began to sing in the sweetest little voice: “Jesus loves me, this I know”. I broke down, I tried to sing with her, but I could stop myself from tearing up. In that moment the Holy Spirit began to speak: “This is what it is ALL about.” I had this revelation that being a part of the worship ministry had nothing to do with big sound, flashy lights and me being seen but had everything to do with God connecting with His children. God left me with something about my calling right there – I am meant to be a worshiper and to bring worship wherever it is needed. It doesn’t matter if it’s on a stage or a dusty old playground – where people are hungry – I can be used to bring God glory and lead His people to His presence.
God had already been weeding out those self-centered ambitions of mine through my leaders and people around me over the years, but that moment was a pull towards Him that I will never forget.
That was my COOLEST MOMENT.
Much love,
Hayden Hayl’
Meet The Shark: The Shark is my scarlet red bass guitar. Why is it called a shark? Well It’s because the pick guard is cut out in the shape of a shark. It’s wild! I know it’s out there – but I love jamming on it!
A Worship Diary 