My choir experience and how God used it to change my perspective.
This past Sunday, I was part of the Choir at church. When I tell you that I was out of my element, it would be an understatement. The last time I sang or did any music-related activity was close to 20 years ago, when my mom signed me up for piano lessons. Well, there was also that time or two that I joined the church choir as a flag bearer when I was a kid, but all I was doing was waving a flag around to the wrong cues. This time around, I did not even join on purpose. My friend and I walked into what we thought was a Thursday night service, but ended up being a choir rehearsal. The people were so warm and welcoming that we ended up staying and practicing with them until we received our robes and instructions to meet at 7:00am that Sunday with black pants and a white top for the worship service. And so after one additional night of practice on my own, Sunday rolled around.
When I tell you that I have never been so excited to do something that I am bad at in my life, you would probably think I was a little crazy. There is just something about knowing that what you are doing is the right thing, and that it is approved by God, that makes it so easy to do… no matter if you aren’t “qualified” or “trained” to do it. I mean, I have next to no skill in music, but I felt no pressure to be good at it; it was liberating! And therefore, I got to really enjoy that worship moment that day.
Looking back and behind the scenes of this experience, I found my inception into this choir to be quite interesting. Not a week earlier, I was reading the book of Revelation and noted that the inhabitants of Heaven–the angels, elders, and others– all had a similar routine: It seemed as though whenever God did anything, they would fall and worship Him. I remember thinking to myself, well, that seems like it would get old fast; is there anything else to do? I feel as though the Lord, in His funny way of working, used this choir experience as a direct response to this thought. I needed to be reminded quickly that God is the main character of this story, not me. It is selfish of me to ask what else is there? When there is only God. He is all that matters.
So I encourage you today to look for the ways that God is talking to you. Is He putting you in places of weakness where you must rely on His strength? Is He allowing you to go through an especially hard time so that you learn to trust Him? Perhaps you are living your best life, and He wants you to see that He is still your source. Whatever it is, ask God to reveal to you what he is doing in your life, and to give you the grace and humility to submit to his will and go along with it.
The Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are sovereign and good. You control all things. I thank you for Your hand in my life. Please help me to hear You clearly and recognize where You are working today. I ask for the grace and humility to accept your control. Thank You for causing all things to work for my good as I love and obey You. I love You, Lord. Amen.
