I’m still overwhelmed by what the Great Lord has been able to bless me with these past few weeks. One thing is certain – the Fruits of the Holy Spirit are real!
In my past experience, leading a music ministry always brought out the worst in me. I’m passionate about music (especially worship music) to the point that I get easily frustrated when things don’t sound the way they’re supposed to sound. It’s more than acceptable to strive for excellence and to give all that we can in order to make the music enhance worship rather than make it a distraction, but it should never come at the expense of ruining friendships and relationships.
I’ve never practiced as often as I did for WTNC – at least 3 practices a week for two months and full day practices the week of. One thing was for sure… In the busyness of practices, I wanted to make sure that love was the reason why all of us were giving our time, talent and treasure. Weekly Skype sharings, lots of laughing, fellowship over meals, going to daily Mass, watching movies, and many many exhortations… These were things that we were able to do despite the demanding service of Music Min. Normally I’d be opposed to some of those things (especially the fellowship stuff) because it would take away from practice time. But my time in the community has shown me that two things make this community as blessed as it is: Christ and Christ-centered relationships.
I was nervous come the day of conference, especially for LIVELOUD. My heart was racing and I was pacing back and forth. I kept thinking about what I would say or how things would go. Then I got prayed over and I started to feel overwhelmed. Despite my unworthiness, the Lord still called me. I remember waking up that morning feeling happy because I knew that the Lord woke me up for a purpose: to help others experience His love through LIVELOUD.
At the end of LIVELOUD, I was sweating like a pig. My voice was gone. But I had the biggest smile on my face. I didn’t care if there were mistakes. In fact, I don’t even remember if we had any. What mattered was that when everything was said and done on Friday, everyone was filled with the Spirit of Joy. And it would stay with them throughout conference and beyond it.
Saturday rolled around and it was going to be a long day for Music Min: 2 worships, 2 reflections, 1 praisfest, and practicing for Sunday Mass and praisefest. It overwhelmed me knowing that there was a lot to do in a short amount of time. My tendencies started to kick in – overworrying, getting easily frustrated, freaking out… However, I tried my absolute best to do everything with a smile on my face, never to compromise relationships or friendships.
Everything was going really well. The Lord was surpassing my expectations. I was even blessed to have our Music Min CC’s constantly buy me ginger tea to help my voice! SPECIAL THANKZ TO TITO NELSON AND TITO NELSON! Best Music Min CC’s in history! Then, during praisefest on Saturday night, my guitar string broke. I clearly remember this because I started to freak out. It was during Have Your Way and I had to run and grab another guitar. It took a lot of coordinating with the stage managers but it worked out. I remember that clearly because 1) the sound tech didn’t mute my guitar so you heard the ‘POP’ sound when I plugged it in (Sorry Andrew!) and 2) the guitar strap wasn’t adjusted properly so I was using the guitar in a very very very awkward position. Normally I’d be frustrated but I think at the end of the night, I was just too happy because a) my brother Isaac led praisefest, b) music min was able to all participate in writing and saying their own vows and c) nothing can overshadow the victory of being able to make a commitment to God with an open heart.
After the program ended on Saturday, Music Min needed to practice for Sunday Mass and praisfest. It was 12:15am and we only had until 12:30am. We barely got through anything and normally I would be freaking out, especially for Mass because the liturgical music matters to me the most. But, instead of showing my frustration or lost hope, instead I smiled, said words of encouragement, focused on the victories of today, and reminded our committee to not worry about tomorrow – because it’s already a victory.
Sunday came and everything turned out better than I had expected. Once again, the Lord shattered my expectations and despite what I felt to be disorganized, the Lord really organized everything and made it beautiful.
At the end of conference, we shared words of affirmation to each other in our committee. One brother shared that he might forget the worships, or the chords, the lyrics to the songs, the different arrangements… But he will never forget the relationships that were formed within the committee. Those were the words I wanted to hear. That was a victory that mattered to me. Another brother shared that he realized that the Lord really never abandons us, and that it gives Him hope and comfort knowing that the Lord is always with Him. Those were the words I wanted to hear. That was a victory that mattered to me. One brother shared that this his expectations were surpassed because God blew them away. It was his first time serving at a conference in a big role and throughout his experience, he realized the wonders God can do through His faithful servants, ones who are willing to do whatever it takes to serve, love, and honour Him to the best of their ability. Those were the words I wanted to hear. That was a victory that mattered to me. A sister shared that this experience serving in Music Min gave her the courage to say YES to a greater calling in her service back home. Those were the words I wanted to hear. That was a victory that mattered to me.
When the Spirit touches our lives and moves within us, we never remain the same. The Lord always transforms us and changes us into wine, the BEST wine. I’ve never felt so much peace, love and joy after a conference. And I knew it was because I experienced Christ. I experienced Him through the Eucharist at Mass, through the worships and praisefests, through the talks, but in a very special way, through each brother and sister in the Music Min. Thanks to you, I am a witness to the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Thanks to you, I have experienced God’s peace, love and joy. Thank you:
- Margie “watch me open this door even though it’s locked” Banda,
- Jeff “Bimbo 2.0” Dejos,
- Geleen “sing the time has come” Faustino
- Joseph “national leaders summit” Valeroso,
- Charmaine “air piano” Mateo
- Rudolf “we’re in too deep” Cagalawan
- Nathan “why do you always end songs on the IV chord!?!?” Guevara
- Mikey “I don’t know what you’re saying because the spotlight is in your face” Raymundo
- Paolo “urrplanez” Dantes
“And I am with you always, until the end of the age”