Music is my thing. It always has been. I’m pretty confident that I came out of the womb singing some kind of tune. Both of my parents can sing. One is shy and won’t sing on a stage. The other loves the spotlight and never minded singing in front of people. I wonder which one I took after in that area? From the time I started school, any time there was a play or musical or an opportunity to sing in church, I was there. And I wasn’t going for the chorus line. I wanted center stage. I LOVE to sing loud and clear.
When I was little, it was because I liked the attention. As I got older, I continued to sing in church, but the reason changed. I now wanted to glorify God and give Him the praise. And when I moved to a new and bigger church at the age of 30, it all changed. There was no choir. There was a praise band, a worship team and contemporary Christian music. The church that I was going to didn’t do “specials” like they did in the church I went to growing up. I felt far inferior to the professionals they had on stage! There was no way I could bring anything to the table with them. And so I stuck to singing with the congregation in the pews, knowing that God had given me a gift….but afraid to use it.
As I started looking for my new church here in Alabama, one of the things I was looking at was the worship time. It wasn’t as important as other things like sound doctrine, or a gospel-sharing church. But I love the peace I feel as I worship in song so it wasn’t far from the top. Imagine my surprise that I’ve been repeatedly visiting a smaller church with old-fashioned hymns and a piano. I just found out they have a small choir. It’s like I’ve stepped back in time to my childhood! And it’s not what I’ve been used to for 12 years. And I think it might be right where God wants me.
You see, I long to feel the presence of God with music. But the truth is, I don’t need that music to feel the presence of God. He’s all around me. The Holy Spirit lives inside of me because I am a blood-bought daughter of the King. The music and the words are there to help me praise Him, to rejoice in who He is and what He’s done for us. The ability to sing is the spiritual gift that God has given me to use and honor for His glory. And I feel like I’ve wasted it for 12 years.
1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
The Lord has changed what I see as beneficial for me in finding a church. Rather than a church with a “stellar” worship hour, I long for a church that shares the gospel, who believes in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). Then show me that same church that allows me to use the spiritual gifts that God has bestowed on me to serve others. In finding that, I find my church.
I’m thankful for a God who leads us exactly where we need to be. We only need to listen, trust, and obey. How about you, friends? Do you have a spiritual gift that you’ve been tucking away? Share in the comments below what it is, and let’s pray for opportunities to serve others with that precious gift from God!
~Erin
Iron Porch 