I've mentioned that some of my anxiety surrounding moving to a new church has centered around worship, right? Right.
Well, to put it in perspective, let me tell you about our first visit to our new Sunday School class:
Several people introduced themselves and were very nice to us. But, for a few minutes before the lesson started, we had a little bit of time just to ourselves. As I was sitting in the chair, I thought, "This is really it. This could be our new church home." I looked at Mike and I said, "I really hope God allows me to lead worship again at some point." And I started bawling...
And that sentiment has stayed pretty consistent over the past six weeks. I have been hoping and praying that God will allow me to lead worship again.
Over the past few days, God has started to reveal to me the exact level of absurdity connected with that hope/prayer/desire.
It's absurd for a couple of reasons:
1. I am gifted to lead worship. It is a passion and a desire that has been planted in my heart, straight from God. It is a raw talent and a natural ability that was given to me by God, not acquired through any special means of my own. It is a calling placed on my life by the only One who is worthy of my worship.
And the Bible says this, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded. And from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." (Luke 12:48) The Bible also says that God gives us spiritual gifts for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:7) It tells us to spur one another on to good deeds. (Hebrews 10:24) It instructs us to encourage one another daily. (1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 3:13, and Hebrews 10:25)
It is clear that God's desire is not for me to solely use my gift privately and personally enjoy all the benefits of that gift. It is meant to be used to build up the body of Christ, to spur people on to good works, to encourage them and strengthen their faith. God's not gonna change his mind on that. He's not going to all of a sudden decide that I should be selfish with the gifts He has given me.
2. Therefore, it is clear that God is asking me (and will continue to ask me) to lead His people in worship. The only way that will not happen is if I allow it not to happen. If I find out that my gifts in this area are not needed in our new church family, then shame on me if I don't find another way to share these gifts and use them to build up the global body of Christ. In fact, I'm realizing that, perhaps, God may have been a little disappointed all along while I was only using my gifts to lead others inside the church walls.
He has given me gifts, and he expects me to use them whenever and wherever I can use them in order to seek His kingdom and make Him known.
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This is vital for us to grasp, as church-attending Christians. God has given us gifts. He has given us talents, abilities, and life experiences. And he expects us to be using those things to encourage, correct, teach, support, and love the people around us. If you have a talent or ability or experience or skill that you have been keeping to yourself...
STOP! Stop hoarding it!
Spread the love!
If there is no where to use your gift in your church, then find somewhere else to use it. Even if there is a place in your church, please don't stop there. Get outside the box!
If you can't think of a way to use your skills, e-mail me. I'm *sure* I can come up with something.
If you don't think you have any skills, e-mail me. I've got resources for you. And, if I know you in person, then I can probably already tell you some of your skills, strengths, talents, and gifts. :)
Use whatever God has given you whenever you can. Use whatever God has given you wherever you can.
Do not waste a single moment you've been given.
Your life is an offering to God. Your life is your worship. Don't dawdle it away.
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If you are local, stay tuned. I'm going to be looking for opportunities to lead you in worship on a regular basis *outside* the walls of the church.
I love worshiping with you and entering the presence of God together as a family. I feel so energized and excited to realize that I've been thinking so narrow and backwards. We don't have to stop worshiping together. In fact, we *shouldn't* stop worshiping together. This is just the beginning of a new phase!
How exciting!! :) I hope you have a wonderful day of worship tomorrow.