Throughout elementary, junior high, high school, and college, music and singing were always the foremost things on my mind. I studied with some of the best teachers and professors in Cleveland, Ohio, and from a very early age I was taught to shoot for “PERFECTION.” Though I wouldn’t trade my education for anything, sometimes it just plain ole gets in the way!!

I’ll tell you what I mean. A couple of weekends ago, we were leading worship at a church in Sherman, Texas. We were doing an acoustic version of the song “I Will Exalt” (the last song on our album), and the congregation was really worshiping God. It was awesome.........until I started to forget the words. And I don’t just mean one word, I forgot words in the second verse, I forgot words in the chorus. I FORGOT THE WORDS!!!! I was so upset about it, it ruined the remainder of the worship time for me. After the service, I apologized to the worship leader of the church. He informed me that no one even noticed. He said that they were so lost in God’s presence that they hadn’t even heard my mistakes. I was relieved. They hadn’t noticed my lack of “PERFECTION”.

Well this past Wednesday I led worship at my church. This time it was just me and my guitar, and yep it happened again. I FORGOT THE WORDS!!! This time I was devastated. After the service I went to my pastor and I asked him “Are you a perfectionist?.” He said “Why do you ask?.” I proceeded to tell him about my recent forgetfulness, and how it really bummed me out when I made mistakes. He looked at me and told me the most profound thing. He said “The Lord doesn’t care about your PERFECTION, he cares about your SINCERITY.” He was so right!!! John 4:24 says “.....those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth”. Spirit(from the depths of my heart)....Truth (just being real with God). A huge weight was lifted off of me that day.

Though I will always try to do my best, I DON’T HAVE TO BE PERFECT!!! I just have to be sincere. We’re always going to make mistakes here and there, but the Lord look’s at the heart. He knows what I’m trying to say, even if I FORGET THE WORDS.

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