Ever Doubt???

[carguy1]

Do you ever doubt that leading worship is what God designed you to do. Recently we started a small group that meets at my house. I am the "leader" of this group. I figured that a good place to start would be, "The Purpose Driven Life". Well, as I was going back through some of the stuff that I had underlined and some of the notes I have made, I came across a place where Rick wrote, "If you want your life to have impact, focus it....Prune away even good activities and do only that which matters most." This got me to wondering if leading worship is really what God designed me to do. While I do believe that God has given me some talent in singing, I am far from the most talented. Now I do know that I don't have to be the most talented for God to work in me, and to use me, but I am just not sure that leading worship is what God has in mind for me. If it isn't, then am I wasting time that I could be focusing in another direction more inline with God's plan for me. I know that the answers lie in prayer and in the Word, but sometimes I find it helps to put it out there.

[russhutto]

Matt,

Thanks for you transparency. This is a tough place to be in.

It's more than obvious from reading posts of your journey over the last several months that you have a desire to be a part of leading God's people in worship. Obvious.

I'm not going to say what you should do one way or the other. Like you said, the answer FOR YOU is found in prayer, the Word, and counsel from those you look up to spiritually.

But I will add this: we all have doubts. At one time or another, along the way, we have questions, doubts, fears, that get in the way of what our heart knows is right and true.

I honestly don't know if you're "called" to be a worship leader. I don't know if you're "called" to be a motorcross champion either. That's between you and God, and probably someone who has some sort of great spiritual influence in your life to help you discern. I tend to think of what we "do" in the Kingdom a little less "deep" and try and keep it simple.

What are you GOOD at?

What do you LOVE doing?

Where are you in your NICHE?

What is it that you do or are a part of that gives you a sense of contentment when you're PARTICIPATING?

I can almost guarantee that if music is the answer to those questions, then helping others to worship in music is not that far of a leap from that.

But you also have to add these questions:

Am I a natural leader?

Do people respond well to my "leadership?"

Am I skilled enough to set the bar for those who would partner with me?

Am I willing to set aside personal preferences to see others expressing their worship in a meaningful way?

Am I willing to accept that "leading" is a task that comes with ups and downs and tough choices?

This, obviously, is not the end all of questions to ask when determining "calling" ... but more so a list that can get someone started in determing their "gifting."

I honestly believe that we are all "called" to be influential in the lives of others. And to some extenet we are ALL worship leaders.

But in the context of leading worship in a corporate setting, you can be sure of these things:

1) It's not always fun.
2) It demands a lot of self-sacrifice.
3) It may be one of the most over-worked, undervalued roles in ministry in this our western church culture.
4) It's hard work.
5) It DOES take a high level of proficient skill to do well.

To tie up this mess of a ramble, I just wanted to encourage you. I've seen your heart. I've heard your passion. In my opinion, it's very clear that you are gifted in music. Keep sharpening that. Keep honing your skills.

I believe that as you continue to keep God first, seeking Him above all, He'll begin to reveal to you His plan for tomorrow, next week, and the rest of your life. Keep at it, bro!

[carguy1]

Matt,

I believe that as you continue to keep God first, seeking Him above all, He'll begin to reveal to you His plan for tomorrow, next week, and the rest of your life. Keep at it, bro!

Thank you so much. There was a lot of what you said that spoke to me, but I really like how you summed it all up in these last few lines. I think that what you said here is the key to my struggle. I must remember that my focus must be on God and then He will tell me what I need to do with me. If I send my time concerned with what to do with me, then God will never get a chance to show me what wants to do with me.

[fmckinnon]

Matt, I agree with Russ, man .. what great encouragement he offered.

Honestly, for me, there have been VERY FEW times that I've ever doubted my calling to lead others in worship. The only thing I *HAVE* doubted from time to time is whether or not that is supposed to be my "full time profession". (as opposed to maybe touring, or having a traveling ministry type thing, which would be HELL for my wife and 4 small children who would never see their Daddy).

Also, as an entrepreneur, I've wrestled balancing the call of music ministry to my passion for business and commerce, especially online ... (imagine that) ... but after laying down "full-time" for a few years and spending 90% of my work week on "business", it wasn't long before my heart began to yearn to be back in that place where the majority of my time was spent in ministry-related activities!

Bottom line - just keep pressing into God, asking Him to prove to you what HIS PATH is for you life. Also, keep in mind that we all have seasons in life - and what He may call you to do for a season may or may not be what you are doing in HIs kingdom for the rest of your life! (just my $.02)

[worshiptrench]

There is always the tension between these two statements....

1. To change anything you must be at it a long time. Most people who make radical world transformation have been heading in the same direction 30+ years.
Just ask Abraham, Moses, etc.

2. Just because God calls you to a brook doesn't mean it won't dry up and He moves you to something else. Just ask Elijah.

You have to seek God, the wisdom of other Godly men and women, and look at the opportunities God is giving in you tandem.