God goes so far ahead of us...a short reflection on my journey with worship leading

On Saturday night I had the privilege of leading worship at Wembley Arena and as my sleepy head hit the pillow after the euphoria of an explosive praise-filled evening, I was reminded of how I first came to lead worship. Since I was an eight-year-old girl and experienced the holy spirit, and then went on to start writing songs from age 16, I have always loved to worship. I used to sit at the piano for hours singing worship songs, hymns, inventing new melodies and ways to express my heart for God. During these times of worship, I remember having a recurring image in my mind which I tried really hard to reject! I would see myself leading worship in front of thousands. At the time I was incredibly nervous to stand in front of any sized crowd and I loved the privacy and intimacy of time alone with the Lord - so I used to shrug off the picture as a metaphorical vision of me standing with the crowd of saints and elders around the throne in heaven. But even though I tried to reject that picture, I knew deep down that there was something that the Lord was calling me too.

Fast forward 20+ years, and to have the honour of standing and leading thousands in worship is just another reminder that God goes so far ahead of us in our journey. This is not to glorify or magnify big stages, nor is it to boast in my achievements. I know that spotlights come and go, and experiences of platforms like Wembley are as much viscerally intense as they are fleeting. What keeps me grounded in moments like this, is the reminder that it is the Lord that has made a way to this place. So I want to partly testify but also to reassure and remember that God sees so far into our future and gives us more than enough grace to equip us for what He calls us to.

As a 16 year old, I could never have believed that I’d get to do what I do now. It’s been a journey of increments, of saying yes to God, of making mistakes and learning to trust the Lord more, of letting Him open the doors and lead the way. So whether you are called to public platforms or private spaces, I want to encourage you today that God is faithful to His call, and that He truly supplies all of our needs along the journey according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).

Lucy xx