Over these past couple of weeks I have been constantly reminding myself that Jesus never said it would be easy. I have been looking back on King David and his story… God chose the small little boy who meant nothing to anyone to become one of the greatest kings in history. But that’s not what I think is amazing. The incredible part of his story is how David went from being a nobody, to being a somebody, and then he was persecuted! All before he ever receive the promises of God. I look at how he had people out trying to kill him and yet he still pursued God. And how he had so many times where he could have sought out his own plan or tried to rush things but instead he came humbly before God and let him work and move in his life. David was not perfect, just a man with a calling on his life.
This past week I had the privilege of serving at the Desperation Conference at New Life Church and was lucky enough to have a job where I could sit in and listen to some of the speakers. One of the first speakers talked about callings. At one point in his talk he said something like, “everyone is called but it’s how we respond that sets us apart.” He explained it by telling a story about how he hates moving or helping other people move. And how if someone asked him and a group of people to help them move he would try to make up some excuse for not being able to do it. But there is always one person who is willing raise their hand and help. Just like How God has all called us to pick up our cross and follow him. There are so many of us who try to make excuses for why we can’t. Things like: “I’m not qualified”, “I have no time”, and “I don’t have enough faith”. Then there are the few who say, “God I am ready to be set apart. Use me no matter what the cost.”
Matthew 22:14 “Many are invited, but few are chosen.”
This verse does not mean that God only picks a few, but rather there are only a few who respond to the invitation set before them…. I want to be the one who says “here I am, use me.” I want to be set apart for Gods glory. And like King David I want to seek God out even when it seems like it is too much to handle. God is my strength and He is the firm foundation on which I will stand on. He is my comforter and friend in times of loneliness. I don’t take saying any of this lightly. There have been so many times in my past where I have said that I wanted God to set me apart but I never meant it. I truly mean every word this time. I have finally come to the place where I recognize that I can do nothing except through Christ who strengthens me. That it is not anything I can give, but my willingness to be used.
I recently was sitting in my room and I was really struggling with the fact that I have never written a full song. I was thinking of all the other worship leaders I love listening to and how all of their songs are so powerful and elegant. I have tried so many times to write songs like theirs but I can only write a verse or a bridge and that is it. I then realized that I was trying to copy something that wasn’t me. So I sat down at the piano and just began to sing my heart. Nothing complex or elegant came out. But instead it was me pouring out my heart to my Lord and savior. I wrote a full song for the first time. And in that moment God began to show me that when you let go of fear, self-condemnation, and comparison he is willing to use me for his glory.
This past week I had the privilege of serving at the Desperation Conference at New Life Church and was lucky enough to have a job where I could sit in and listen to some of the speakers. One of the first speakers talked about callings. At one point in his talk he said something like, “everyone is called but it’s how we respond that sets us apart.” He explained it by telling a story about how he hates moving or helping other people move. And how if someone asked him and a group of people to help them move he would try to make up some excuse for not being able to do it. But there is always one person who is willing raise their hand and help. Just like How God has all called us to pick up our cross and follow him. There are so many of us who try to make excuses for why we can’t. Things like: “I’m not qualified”, “I have no time”, and “I don’t have enough faith”. Then there are the few who say, “God I am ready to be set apart. Use me no matter what the cost.”
Matthew 22:14 “Many are invited, but few are chosen.”
This verse does not mean that God only picks a few, but rather there are only a few who respond to the invitation set before them…. I want to be the one who says “here I am, use me.” I want to be set apart for Gods glory. And like King David I want to seek God out even when it seems like it is too much to handle. God is my strength and He is the firm foundation on which I will stand on. He is my comforter and friend in times of loneliness. I don’t take saying any of this lightly. There have been so many times in my past where I have said that I wanted God to set me apart but I never meant it. I truly mean every word this time. I have finally come to the place where I recognize that I can do nothing except through Christ who strengthens me. That it is not anything I can give, but my willingness to be used.
I recently was sitting in my room and I was really struggling with the fact that I have never written a full song. I was thinking of all the other worship leaders I love listening to and how all of their songs are so powerful and elegant. I have tried so many times to write songs like theirs but I can only write a verse or a bridge and that is it. I then realized that I was trying to copy something that wasn’t me. So I sat down at the piano and just began to sing my heart. Nothing complex or elegant came out. But instead it was me pouring out my heart to my Lord and savior. I wrote a full song for the first time. And in that moment God began to show me that when you let go of fear, self-condemnation, and comparison he is willing to use me for his glory.