Labor Day
“Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it — because it does. Give yourselves to the gifts God gives you.” 1 Corinthians 14:1
Sometimes I feel like a fool for pouring so many hours into working on music. I think of all the other things I could be doing, but I’m not because I’m deeply focused here in the studio instead. I love it, I always have and always will.
Music is a huge gift God has given me. I know it’s something I’m created to do. Even so, the struggle can be real at times to know if all the effort I pour in will be worth it. Does it matter? Will people care if I make another record? Will people show up at my concert no matter how much I practice and prepare? I bring these questions to God often. This is at the heart of my insecurities - wondering when the big giant hook will come pull me off the stage. (Thankfully so far, it hasn’t yet!)
As I’m nearing completion of a new project I’m soon to enter into another cycle of promotion and sharing the album, building buzz and getting the word out. This is by far the most intimidating part of the whole music life process for me. I could create all day long. But actually putting it out into the world makes my knees start to shake.
So this morning during my quiet time, as these questions were fresh on my heart, I was continuing my read through 1 Corinthians. And these words jumped off the page:
“Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it — because it does. Give yourselves to the gifts God gives you.” 1 Corinthians 14:1 (MSG)
And it was as if (again!) God was speaking love and affirmation right into the holes of my fears and insecurities, filling them up with His love. Filling them with His giant: ‘I see you. You matter. And I love you!’
And again I was able to take courage to continue diving into the studio, to continue pouring hours into this gift God has given me because I believe this is what obedience, trust and faith looks like for me. And ultimately, at the end of the day it’s not about me. It’s not about what I’m doing, it’s all about what He’s doing. I know I’m a small part of a much bigger story He’s writing, because we all are. I don’t have to know the next chapter. I just need to be a part of the sentence He’s currently writing as best as I know how, as long as it’s called today.
If you are struggling with calling and using your gifts, take heart and be encouraged today. It’s okay to love the gifts He’s given you and enjoy them thoroughly. That’s not selfish or indulgent.
AND it’s okay to be intimidated and overwhelmed by them too. That doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you. You, and all the things that make you special, matter greatly and are an essential and beautiful part of the story we are all invited to live into together. So, “Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it — because it does. Give yourselves to the gifts God gives you.”
(Part 2 coming soon on: 1 Cor 15:58, “Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for Him is a waste of time or effort.”)