I think famous people are really cool. Whenever I meet a "star" I try to act grown-up and "unimpressed" to suppress my excitement- but inside I’m all “oogly” (I’m not even sure that’s a word.) Anyway… I had the opportunity about five years ago to go to the big conference in Nashville that happens in conjunction with the GMA Dove Awards. Throughout the week it’s not uncommon to meet up with tobyMac in the hallway or Chris Tomlin in the elevator.
Well one of my goals at the conference was to collect freebies (promotional prizes offered by the record labels at these meetings) and bring them back to my radio station to give away on the air. I got the scoop that I should attend a particular radio industry breakfast because “that’s where all the good prizes are.”
I woke up bleary-eyed after a late night concert and went through the breakfast buffet line. I was handed a large, black leather duffel bag filled with CDs and prizes and was content to eat my muffin and leave. I heard beautiful three-part harmony coming from the dining room, so I could tell I was noticeably late. As I was still deciding whether or not to leave, I was swiftly escorted into the room and thought it would be best to sit down. I clapped for the group (sister brother trio “The Martins”) as they left the stage and another group of three guys came up to sing praise choruses. There were screens on either side of the room with the lyrics and beautiful scenery to go along with the songs, but the music was unimpressive.
It wasn’t until the partially gray-haired guy with a goatee and guitar opened his mouth and began singing, “Above all powers… Above all kings…” that it hit me. My heart began to race. This was Paul Baloche, the guy who wrote this song leading worship right here and I was in his presence! If that was Paul Baloche, then who were these other guys? One by one they each had their turn at a solo. The fella with the strong accent (Worship Leader Robin Mark from Belfast) led out “Shout to the North and South… Sing to the East and the West… Jesus is Savior to all. He is Lord of Heaven and Earth!” Tim Hughes from England led, “Here I am to worship. Here I am to bow down. Here I am to say that you’re my God…” Two of the three had come for this event from other parts of the world!! I hadn’t known what they looked like… three music greats were standing in front of me and I was unaware.
Knowing the author brings value to anything, whether it’s a song, a piece of art, or the world around us. I know it’s easy for me to numbly go through the day without stopping to enjoy the sound of the birds in the background or the new flowers I got for Mother’s Day. Life brings all of us the most joy when we really know the Famous One who created it all!
Well one of my goals at the conference was to collect freebies (promotional prizes offered by the record labels at these meetings) and bring them back to my radio station to give away on the air. I got the scoop that I should attend a particular radio industry breakfast because “that’s where all the good prizes are.”
I woke up bleary-eyed after a late night concert and went through the breakfast buffet line. I was handed a large, black leather duffel bag filled with CDs and prizes and was content to eat my muffin and leave. I heard beautiful three-part harmony coming from the dining room, so I could tell I was noticeably late. As I was still deciding whether or not to leave, I was swiftly escorted into the room and thought it would be best to sit down. I clapped for the group (sister brother trio “The Martins”) as they left the stage and another group of three guys came up to sing praise choruses. There were screens on either side of the room with the lyrics and beautiful scenery to go along with the songs, but the music was unimpressive.
It wasn’t until the partially gray-haired guy with a goatee and guitar opened his mouth and began singing, “Above all powers… Above all kings…” that it hit me. My heart began to race. This was Paul Baloche, the guy who wrote this song leading worship right here and I was in his presence! If that was Paul Baloche, then who were these other guys? One by one they each had their turn at a solo. The fella with the strong accent (Worship Leader Robin Mark from Belfast) led out “Shout to the North and South… Sing to the East and the West… Jesus is Savior to all. He is Lord of Heaven and Earth!” Tim Hughes from England led, “Here I am to worship. Here I am to bow down. Here I am to say that you’re my God…” Two of the three had come for this event from other parts of the world!! I hadn’t known what they looked like… three music greats were standing in front of me and I was unaware.
Knowing the author brings value to anything, whether it’s a song, a piece of art, or the world around us. I know it’s easy for me to numbly go through the day without stopping to enjoy the sound of the birds in the background or the new flowers I got for Mother’s Day. Life brings all of us the most joy when we really know the Famous One who created it all!
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