I am part of the worship team at my church. This means some Sunday services I put up the words on the screen, and sometimes I play the keyboard with the worship team. This Sunday, I sang with the choir—not the traditional type of choir, but a group of six to eight singers who add volume behind the main singer. When serving as a keyboardist or as a singer, I participate in all three morning services.

No matter what slot I fill, I take being on the worship team seriously. It is a privilege to be part of drawing people into an attitude of worship, preparing them to hear God’s word. I do my best not to call attention to myself, but to lift up God and glorify Him.

This Sunday that proved a challenge. As we started the first song for the third service, I felt something inside my top. I quickly realized I had a bug crawling on me. As we sang, the bug made its way to my underarm and then down my side. Being up on the stage, I had no way to discreetly get that insect out. 

Many of you might be wondering why I didn’t leap off the stage and go somewhere to remove the bug, but like I said, I take my responsibility in serving seriously and don’t want to call attention to myself. I am there to glorify God. So, I waited as that little critter happily toured around me.

I’d prayed just that morning for something new and fresh to write for this blog post and it seemed God provided—just not in the way I expected. He showed me that serving can be uncomfortable at times, but to truly put Him first takes courage and fortitude.

At church, we are studying through the book of Acts. The disciples faced a lot of difficulties that are recorded there. They were imprisoned, beaten, reviled, and shipwrecked. Through it all their faith stayed steady. They didn’t bring attention to themselves, but they always used those trials to point the way to God. 

Isn’t that what we are to do too? When we face something that is uncomfortable or difficult, we must forget who we are and focus on Who God is. What does He want us to learn? What does He want us to share with those around us? How does He want to use us to further His kingdom?

The answer, of course, is to share Him. The trial we face is a good way to let others know how God came through for us and what He can do for them. Believe it or not, this often makes what we suffered less of a burden. 

So, whether we face imprisonment, reviling, or something as trivial as a bug on a journey that’s annoying, we must put God first. We must lift Him up and not make a show of what we suffered. 

At the break in the song service, I left the stage, went to the bathroom, and removed that tiny beetle who intruded where he wasn’t welcome. And, I thanked God for showing me that He comes first—always.