The legendary jazz club in London, Ronnie Scott’s, was booked, standing room only. I knew of the second band. Having read about the first band I thought that I have a fair idea of how the evening was going to unfold. Yet again, I was so off base with my assumptions!
Initially the band played to form. Innovative keyboards combined with untraditional sax and horn, and layered drums to bring an a fresh sound based in an 80’s fusion approach. We were sliding into an amazing experience, reveling in the innovation when the first bombshell game out. The band leader introduced the upcoming song talking about the various instruments and then mentioning the vocals. With the Polish names linked to each contribution it was far too easy to forget which of the band members went with each name. Of anyone on stage who could or would sing I was totally unprepared for what happened next. In the midst of a piece the band leader, clearly older, very casually dressed with his baggy t-shirt, faded kakis, and peppered beard, stepped up and cuddled into the mike. The vocal abilities that followed, sliding in and out of the music effortlessly, was totally out of visual range!
I thought I knew what to expect. Clearly I didn’t and in the end being surprised I opened myself up to a great evening of surprises coming out of surprises coming out of surprises. I found myself listening to the Spirit explain my role at work, challenge me to fresh opportunities that I had not seen, and enjoying the fruit on display from previous time of letting go. By the time the evening faded into today I was energized and empowered!
Far too many times I hear the Spirit saying “I have food to eat you know nothing about.” (John 4.32) I wonder if I will ever feel free to let my arrogance go and experience the moment. If I do, if you do, everything is open for the ultimate surprise; life with a compassionate loving God operating from the inside out.
