DOWNSIZING

Sometimes, we look at the word “less” as a limitation. Not having everything you would like to have to reach your goal or vision. That goes with almost every general concept of not having enough of something. Not enough ingredients for in a recipe, not having enough film for your camera, not having enough milk for your cereal and your whole day is ruined and you still have eight hours of work to endure and wonder if you’ll truly make it (I speak from experience). 

I’m going to tell you, it’s going to be okay. I feel like I say this a lot. Pretty sure it’s necessary because we can be perfectionists and need everything to be so accurate, and if it’s not we flip out. I’ve had that happen to me so many times and it can be so frustrating and honestly embarrassing. For example, I traveled to a nearby city and brought the wrong guitar; it was buggy and didn’t receive my drives all that well. On top of that our keyboardist forgot his laptop and the church’s drums were so tore up. It was a pretty dreadful night and I’ll just leave that there.

We still had worship, God still moved, but I panicked. Felt as if God wasn’t going to use me and as if I let people down. I’ve recently learned that downsizing when need be is the perfect way to go. Another example, my wife and I had served  under a church for over a year, TDA Church, which was smaller than our previous location. So certain nights called for smaller gear, convenient enough to travel back and forth with. Started with my pedals and guitar. As opposed to taking my Pedaltrain 2 over every day, I took a smaller board. Then it moved to occasionally a few pedals that I’d leave on top of my amp and dial in if necessary. 

Then we have acoustic Wednesdays and Fridays. Adding pedals is always fun, but for the environment and atmosphere of our church, right into the system would do just fine accompanied by piano as well. I had to learn to adapt. Same goes for distant traveling. I went to the Philippines a few years back and can only take so much. So, I packed the essentials. Drive, delay and reverbs, and a volume pedal. We had a headstock tuner to share so that saved space as well, even though I seriously prefer plugging right into a tuner. But, I was willing to work with what I had. 

Maybe your duties have changed on your team and don’t require so much from you and your board. Downsize, make like a little easier for you. Have on your board your necessities and make things a peice of cake when it comes to adjusting or modifying during your set. This would also be a huge help if you are leading worship!

Less can be more. Maybe you don’t have the high boutique pedals, if you can make your tone great and get what is in your head out and through your amp then you’re doing just fine! Humbleness and humility can go a long way, run with that and God will honor whatever it is you bring to the table. Trust Him, trust in your abilities that He has given you, be smart, educate yourself, be willing to adapt and watch God do great works with you.

I hope this has blessed you and would love to hear stories here, or on Instagram or Twitter @anhonestsound!
-AO