Scriptures:
Genesis 39:3-6 - Joseph, after being abandoned by his brothers, is made attendant to Potiphar and blessed by God.Exodus 3:23 - Moses encounters God in a burning bush
Luke 1:31 - Mary becomes mother of Jesus
2 Corinthians 11:25-27 Paul – A servant of Christ: beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, deprived of sleep, food, and experienced cold and nakedness. Yet continued to spread the word of God.
I couldn’t think of one single scripture to begin my blog with. Instead I could think of several.
All the scriptures above have to do with being surprised by God. We pray for specific things, and God answers in surprising and unexpected ways. We are walking along, minding our own business and we have an encounter with someone that really needed to hear about our belief in God: right time, right place. We think we are in step with God when suddenly we find ourselves in a storm of uncertainty and doubt; everything seems to be “going wrong” for a season - until things "go right" again. Or we are finally fulfilling a dream when all at once it is taken from us, and we're left wondering why – only to have it handed back to us in time.
God is certainly an unpredictable God. Always good, patient, loving and faithful. However, we are frequently unable to predict just how He is going to work out His will in our lives - whether we are actively looking for it or not!
An example taken from my own life experience happened In 2000, when I finally decided to fulfill my lifelong desire to play drums. I bought an old set and began taking lessons. At the time, it didn't matter I had no prospects of joining a band, I just wanted to follow my hearts' desire, because I always enjoyed the sound of strong percussion in music.
In 2001, I was asked to begin training for the first all women band ("worship team") in our church. Many of us were beginners, and the director would take time with each of us to learn each song. It was an amazing time for me as my dream was coming to fruition. It was my passion to play drums, but naturally, my dream to become a part of a band some day.
We were beginning to really "gel" together, our sound improved with each practice, we began playing songs solidly, one after the other, and finally we debuted during a women's conference! Life was grand! I was so excited to be used by God to play music for Him!
And then the lead guitarist was called away from rehearsals and the team due to unforeseen circumstances - and we didn't have anyone to take her place. So only a few weeks after our debut - we disbanded.
For a while, some ex-band members and I got together and created our own band outside of church. We began rehearsing on our own, created some of our own worship music, even performed at a Relay for Life in our home town in front of hundreds of people. Again, it was a blessing to be used by God in such a way. During one of our originally written pieces at the Relay, we were told by some friends that a hush came over the stadium as we played this beautiful song about God. People stopped to listen.
For my 40th birthday, my best friend raised money through friends and family to help me get a set of electronic drums. Electronic drums are valuable when you live in an apartment! I can put on headphones, and while there is a concert going on in my head, the only noise the outside world hears is the hollow tap-tap-tapping of sticks on the drum heads, which sounds a bit like drum sticks hitting a phone book. I was able to practice at any time, day or night without disturbing the neighbors, small babies and dogs down the street!
Then our second lead singer had to leave the band. Again, the rest of us were at a loss. We once more disbanded.
It's been several years now. My drums have collected dust. My motivation faltered. I wanted to play drums - but it was more difficult to play along to CDs when I was used to having live interaction around me. I knew I needed to keep practicing so as not to lose what I learned. But I grew complacent, lazy, unmotivated.
Then I received another, unexpected calling. About two months ago, through the encouragement of my friend and ex-bandmember from the second band we were in, I was told that one of the worship teams desperately needed a drummer. The leader himself begged me to join, although my playing was rusty, I had forgotten much of what I had learned. I was still very much a beginner despite owning drums for 4 years.
And so now I find myself back on a worship team. But if only I had trusted God enough to open another door, I would not have allowed myself to become so apathetic regarding my playing. The flame of my passion had waned to nothing more than a smoldering ember. It was there - just barely visible underneath the surface. But I did nothing with it. However, only God knew it was still there.
So now I find myself on a worship team again, but instead of being up to par, I'm again having to learn from scratch. BUT NO MATTER. Because God has chosen to fan my little ember once more. I have renewed excitement about being behind my drums. I'm playing WORSHIP music! I'm playing, essentially, for GOD.
Sometimes we never really know if God has taken something from us for a season, or if life's circumstances pull us away. But if it's a passion you carry in your heart that can be used for God - my encouragement to you is to never let it go. Keep honing your gift, your skill. Feed such a passion - because you never know when you may be called by God to put it into action - and then you will be prepared!
Prayer request: Pray for those who feel down trodden, beaten up by life, complacent or apathetic - that God will breathe life into them and renew their spirit.
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