I was standing in a distinguished chapel at Yale University with towering stone walls under vaulted ceilings sustained by ornate pillars. The architecture was from a distant century - the acoustics like no room I’ve ever played in before. No one so small as me has been privileged to perform in so grand and dignified a place. I was singing but underneath I was reflecting about the significance of the moment. I was thinking that I’ll never forget this occasion - I’ll remember it always - the day that Mo Leverett performed his music in these hallowed halls.
And then it happened. And God seems to always do this to me in the moment I need it most. He fed me some humble pie.
It started with one person, then another, then two more - exiting in the middle of a song. I thought at first…maybe he’s got a night class…and then I remembered it was Saturday. After the second one left I thought…maybe he has another commitment. But then when the two girls left abruptly, I got the message. It was God. And He was thumping me on the head while saying…”Hey you down there! Get your head out of the clouds!”
And so I awakened from my little dream. I finished my little concert and I gave my little talk.
But there was a girl in the back - an uninhibited black girl with dreadlocks that swayed to the rhythm of my music. When I finished, I put up my guitar, gathered my lyrics and licked my wounds. She rushed to the front of the chapel and when I turned around she threw her arms around me, thanked me, gave some encouraging words about my songs and my talk. It seems that I got through to her, maybe others, who knows? But it doesn’t matter. I preached. I sang. God remains sovereign.
I’ve preached in other less dignified places like the locker room at Carver High School or the simplicity of my own living room. I’ve seen those humble places turned into sacred ground as empowered by the Holy Spirit of God sinners turn to the Savior. In truth it matters not what surrounds you when you preach, but who surrounds you when you do. And truth be told, I’d rather be at home teaching and training them.
Nevertheless, my time in Connecticut has been good. I’ve performed and taught at the University of Connecticut, Hartford University, Wesleyan and Yale. I have done a little workshop for urban ministry workers in New Haven. I’ve consulted with a couple of church’s venturing into new works in the inner-city. Tomorrow I will speak in a Presbyterian church’s Sunday school and then hustle over to the Baptist church’s worship service to preach. I’ll then drive to JFK Airport in New York and fly to Orlando to ready myself to teach a week long urban ministry course at Reformed Theological Seminary. I will then sing in 6 or so services the following weekend at Northland Community Church. Between those services Greg Doles and I will record the remaining number of hymns for my next CD project. When I’m done with all these things I’ll fly home the following Tuesday just in time to catch a few beads at a Mardis Gras parade with my Manny Man as well as the rest of the family.
Pray for my family while I’m gone. And pray for me as I miss them all terribly! Pray for stamina for myself until I return. Pray that God would be glorified and His Kingdom advanced. Pray that my many efforts would go a long way in providing the support necessary for the new initiatives at Rebirth! Thank you for your prayers and partnership!
While you’re praying, I’ll be finishing the last bite of my pie. Blessings…
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