Since returning to India, I have been attending a church that isn’t my “Home” church but has very quickly become my family and my community. I love the people here and I LOVE being involved in servicing them. I truly believe that service is a privilege and if you have the opportunity to serve someone, don’t even think twice! One of the ways I’ve been able to serve the Lord in my church is by serving on the worship team. I have been singing as a backing vocal for over a year and I have LOVED every bit of it.
When I lived in the United States, God clearly had me take a break from being part of a worship team, let alone being a worship leader. In those 3yrs, I learned to value every role on the team – from the worship leader, to the backing vocals, to the musicians, to the sound guy, and even the guy who rolls up the cable. But I deeply missed being able to worship on the team, and leading a congregation into implicit adoration of our living King. So you can imagine my joy when I was, for lack of a better term, “recruited” into the worship team here in my new church.
Joining this worship team however, was like giving in to a higher calling! Their level of preparing for a Sunday service was far above anything I had ever done in my home church. I was recently invited to co-lead worship on a Sunday morning – Something I had never done before in my church. I didn’t know what to expect. I got on stage for my sound check, and someone from the production team came over and handed me something that they called, “In-ear monitor.” I had never used one before. It took me a while to figure it out but as soon as I put it into my ears, I heard so many sounds all at the same time. I heard the keyboard, the guitars, the drums, the click, the production guy talking, the Music Director (MD) talking, the Worship Leader 1 giving instructions… it was so overwhelming! Can you imagine singing and leading a congregation into worship with all these voices in your head?
I began to freak out. I was already super nervous. Add the in-ear monitors with a bazillion voices and I was a complete wreck. As I was freaking out, I heard one voice say to me, “Rachel, don’t worry. You’ll do just fine. Just listen to my voice.” It was the MD. He assured me that as long as I followed what he said, I was going to be okay. So, through out the service, amidst this plethora of voices, I focused on the voice of the MD. He told me exactly when I should start a song, when I should soften it, when I should build it up, when the verse was going to start, how many times we were going to do the chorus, and every time he felt my voice quiver in nervousness, he encouraged me and said, “Rachel, you’re doing great.” The MD hand-held me through out the service. He looked out for me. I just needed to pay attention to his voice.
Fast forward to the second time I co-led worship. The in-ear monitors went in, and the plethora of voices resounded in my ears again. But this time, I knew exactly what to expect. This time I knew what voices I was to zone out. This time, paying attention to the MD wasn’t tough. This time I didn’t need as much instruction. I was equipped and my MD had my back. All I had to do was to listen to his voice.
This experience taught me a lot about the role of the Holy Spirit in my life, and in the way I live out my purpose and calling. I wake up every morning to a zillion voices – The voice of my job, my parents, my responsibilities, my uncertainties, my confusion, anxiety… add to the lying voice of the devil – “You’re not good enough” “You’ll never make it in life.” “This is as good as its ever going to get.” “Nobody wants to be with you.” “Do you even have a purpose to live for?” … In the midst of this chaos, the only voice that calms me and gives me direction is that of the Holy Spirit – my comforter, my mentor, my guide – The voice of truth that refutes every lie. All I need to do is pay attention and I’ll be alright. The more I listen to Him, the easier it is to recognize and focus on His voice. The more I focus on His voice, the better life is, and the more effective I am in living out my purpose.
So, here’s my question to you – In the midst of life’s many voices, whose voice are you listening to?
“Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left” ~ Isaiah 30:21
In closing I must say, I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord!
People… they come in all shapes and sizes. They play so many different roles in our lives. Some of them make a difference, while others leave a scar. Unfortunately, human as we are, we tend to focus so much on the ones who’ve hurt us, that we don’t give enough credit to the ones who don’t. We use the failures and disappointments caused by some, to judge the hearts of others. And yet, it is through these very people that God chooses to work in our lives. He offers providence through PEOPLE. When in need, PEOPLE come to help you. When you weep, PEOPLE come to comfort you. When you are in pain, PEOPLE help you through the healing process.
I lift my eyes up 