heart of worship.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100:1-5
Worship is an amazing thing. Whether its through music, or giving of time or money to ministry, or reading the Word and praying, it brings our hearts so much closer to our Creator. This morning, I spent some time thinking about the love and grace of Christ and the many ways in which he's blessed me.
I've always loved singing and music. I tried to learn the piano, the guitar, and the violin. They were all really fun for the first few months but for some reason, I just wasn't able to get into them the way I hoped I would. But that didn't stop my love for music. I joined my youth group's choir and worship team and started singing all the time and every now and again I sing in the main service at my home church, Glad Tidings. I love it!
Now, I think I should be completely honest with you all. I am in no way an amazing singer. Yes, I can carry a tune and usually pick up a harmony, and I love singing. But there was a time in my life that I was mad about not being able claim music as one of my talents. Growing up, almost every single one of my friends was gifted with music, whether in voice or instrument or being able to write fantastic songs. Two of my friends attend Berkley, several of them have their first albums recorded, and the rest are passionately pursuing a career in either music performance or church music. For a time, I was jealous. I felt like I was always one step behind. Until one day I realized God had given me talents in other areas and I remember thinking why am I wasting my time trying to be better at something that isn't my gift? why aren't I trying to glorify God with the gifts that I have been given?
Today we had elective chapel, which means that we have the option to go to either a book study, an educational chapel, a business related chapel, or praise and worship. I chose the latter and I sat with Mark up in the lighting booth, listening to the beautiful music that was flowing from the stage. I'm glad to say that my heart has changed. No longer am I jealous or upset that music isn't my gift. Instead, whenever I have the opportunity to be lead in worship with people who I am privileged to call friends, I embrace it. My friends and classmates are so incredibly talented and I am so blessed to be led in worship to my heavenly Father with their gifts. As I watch them actively pursuing the call that God has placed on their lives, my heart is overjoyed. To hear the music that they play and their voices magnifying the glory of heaven and of our God... what a humbling and fantastic feeling.
Our school has two worship teams, and every member on the teams has a beautiful gift, not only in music but in the way that they lead the student body in a direction towards worshipping our Creator. I am so lucky to get to experience it, as well as to experience the presence of God daily.
To hear more of their worship music, click here and listen to their albums on Spotify!
To wrap up this post, I just want to ask: What gifts has God given you that you might not be using? Are you pursuing something that isn't your calling? Are you responding to the call God has placed on your life?
I am truly blessed by your post. It opened my eyes a lot. I am reminded that my talents was God given and I shouldn't chase talents that other people were blessed by God with. It is good to see that you are growing daily.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post. :)
ReplyDeleteI joined you for a bit in the "disappointed in self for no musical talent". Glad we have progressed beyond! Beautiful post :)
ReplyDeleteAh I feel ya! I have always played piano and sang...but my voice was never anything amazing. I'm like you, I can stay on a pitch and harmonize, but other than that I don't have an incredible voice. It used to frustrate me SOOO much. But lately, I've realized I have other giftings and knowing my limits as a worshipper is a strength!
ReplyDeleteThank you Bonnie!
ReplyDeleteIt's so good to know that I'm not alone in it!! I love music and worship, but I love that God gives us other talents to worship him with. :)
ReplyDeleteI really love your transparency here. I've realized that God specifically gives us gifts that He know we will use to glorify Him. Those are our best ones. This is a beautiful testimony & they sound great.
ReplyDeleteThank you Holly! I love all your comments :) And yes, God gives us all unique talents and when we are using them for His glory, that's right where we're supposed to be!
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