Start with prayer. Don’t make it your last resort. Read Psalm 42:1-5. It was the spring of 2023. Just a few months before, half of our congregation left Wesley Chapel. These were our friends, our prayer partners, and our Bible study classmates. We had joined our voices many times together to say the Lord’s Prayer and sing praise songs to God. Cory, our Worship Director, gave his notice, and we had three months to find a new Worship Director. We started with prayer and began the search. After two months, we had no real leads. As Cory’s last Sunday approached, we remained faithful in prayer. God would provide. The Tuesday before Palm Sunday, Joe Pariseau from Venice, Florida called the church office. I was just south of Indianapolis on my way home from a conference worship service when I returned his call. His family was in Floyd County, Indiana, on spring break and would love to talk to me about the position. I invited Joe, Amy, and the girls to Wesley Wednesday, and we chatted. Anelise joined the children as they practiced for Palm Sunday. A few weeks later, Joe was back in Indiana to lead worship. We offered him the position; he accepted, and they moved from Florida to live in Indiana. We were blessed with Joe’s kindness and Amy’s pie-making expertise. They quickly became family. By the time you read this devotion, Joe and Amy will once again be residents in Florida. Wesley Chapel is now praying for God’s will and direction. Psalm 42 is a beautiful illustration of the intensity of prayer. Our prayers reflect our souls, which long for God and God’s will. Let our souls seek God’s will as we ask God to send the one God has for us.

Lord God, our soul longs for you. Give wisdom to the leadership of our church as they discern your will for our next Director of Worship. May the one who leads us lead us with a heart for you. Amen.