Hi, friend! I (Jennifer) am excited for you to meet our guest this month. Give Charlotte a warm welcome. She is a dear friend of mine, and I think what she shares about starting with a YES will speak to some hearts. Will it be yours? Take a peek. As always pop a comment below or at our Facebook Page!
Greetings my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, I am joyful that you are hungry for more of who God called you to be. Grace and peace to you as you jump in the adventure with the Lord.
In this time and place where it feels the same and different at the same time, to write about freedom to calling is not only for informational purposes, it is a charge!
It truly does start with your “Yes.”
A loud yes. A quiet yes. And He honors your yes.
“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9a NLT.
It was a Wednesday night; I walked into the church auditorium for a worship night. I was ready to sing and pray, but I did not hear anything. Perhaps, I already missed it. A worship pastor asked me, “So, what song are you singing for the audition?” I realized the gathering was for an informational meeting for worship volunteers.
I quickly replied, “I don’t sing, but I would love to serve in other capacities.”
She immediately grabbed someone and said, “Great, I’d like you to meet this guy, our technical director.” I met him and his wife, that night, and I was introduced to the world of the Production Team.
My first full weekend to serve came, and I was scheduled to serve as a backstage hand. Naturally, the technical director’s responsibility was to show me around. He said, “Follow me.” I was thinking we would go to a back door, but he proceeded to walk up the front of the stage with the band already rehearsing. At that moment, I realized I was terrified of the stage. The director was already up there, waiting for me to follow. So I put one foot in front of the other, trying to cover up every ounce of fear I had.
It is fascinating to look back, that before this incident, I only had a vision of speaking in front of thousands of people about God’s goodness. I did not know I had to conquer my fear of going up a stage. God honored my yes, and He continues to lead me, even though I did not know.
There are things that are set in motion, when you say yes. Every time I serve taking out backstage props to the front of the stage, I am quickly reminded that I am conquering my fear and closer to my purpose.
It is not without opposition, my friends, so be aware. When I was on stage one of the times I was serving, I heard the words of shame and accusation: “She is so fat,” or “Look at her reeling the monitor out or taking the podium on stage when she has a college degree. How shameful.”
I could easily be discouraged by these lies, but there is also a powerful truth in the Word.
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 NLT
When I serve and love on people, I realize I am becoming more of whom I am following: I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I quickly hold on to that thought to guard the purity of my heart.
Be Comfortable in the Uncomfortable
Secondly, start being comfortable with being uncomfortable. We say it all the time, but have you experienced it? There is freedom on the other side of fear. It’s like fear has become the gauge to do the very thing you feared to do, given that it is rooted in love and in the Word. It is part of learning and growing.
What I did not tell you was I also did not like talking into the “comms,” which is a headset with a microphone that “communicates” with the rest of the team. I asked myself why I did not like talking into the “comms,” and I learned that I had a fear of man.
Communication is key in this team. The things I need to communicate sometimes would be something important. To love and serve sometimes looks different, and sometimes this looks like learning to get out of my head and speak. So, I speak, even if it is imperfect or with an accent. Speak, Charlotte, and start being comfortable with being uncomfortable.
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18 NIV
Abide in the Lord
In a “microwavable” culture, where “instant” is craved, sometimes we could miss the beauty in the “process.” Where I think I was failing, I am realizing that I probably did not stay long enough to see the victory. In the process, there is the importance of abiding in the Lord.
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:4 NIV
Several weeks in, the production team began training new video directors. To give you a bit of a background, I don’t play video games, and the VD console, looks like something someone uses to play video games, and that they are highly coordinated. You’ve heard it before, “God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.”
I prayed about it, and I volunteered. God has a funny sense of humor. As “quiet” and “non-leader-type” as I am, He quickly changed that narrative and led me to a space where I needed to lead and call the shots. There were countless hours of learning and mistakes and uncoordinated mishaps. Yet, week after week, I was called to come back and serve as a video director. I chose to stay and remain in Him during these times.
It is amazing how this parallels the simple gospel. He calls you back and covers your mistakes and calls you up to a greater purpose. Wow, right? This is totally a game changer and I continue to improve in love and in confidence.
My one-year anniversary rolled around, and the technical director congratulated me in front of the team for starting out serving as a backstage hand and becoming a video director. I thanked him and mentioned I am honored and privileged to serve with the team, and said, “You had always set me up for success.” I know that it is not all in my own doing but it was also in my “Yes” and partnering with the Holy Spirit. I have a feeling this is where our Father God wants to take you, too!
So, I leave you with these questions: What have you said yes to in Christ Jesus? What is He nudging you to take action today (it could be very well small steps and probably even scary to tackle)? Are you aware of the process that you are currently in?
And guess what? I am still in the process. I would love hear from you, so let me know if this resonates with you or encourages you in any way.
Blessings to you as you embark on your own journey to your calling!
Charlotte wants to share a graphic with you that will encourage you. Be sure to catch it at the Facebook Page!
