Music thoughts

So - you want to get into music ministry? Great! But do you have something to say? Are your reasons for doing so sound and spritual? If so, that's good! God needs those of us who He has given the gift of music to use it for His glory and purpose! Here are a few thoughts I'd like to share with you about your calling:

What is your calling exactly? What does God want you to be doing for Him? Are you a writer, performer, both? If He has given you the gift of writing songs, then do it with all your heart and make them the best they can be. If He wants you to sing the songs that others have written, then select songs that you feel have a message that others should hear, and present those songs to your audience with all the feeling you can give them. And remember, you can combine your own songs with others', as God may direct you. Most important, don't get caught in the trap of comparing yourself or your music to others! If you do, you'll keep wandering back and forth, never completing anything because you won't think it's good enough. Remember - do your best, and let God do the rest! Seek the advice of others in Christian music, and then always go to Him in prayer. He is our final judge. He gave you your gift. The worst thing you can do is not use it!

Patience is a Virtue! As Steve Green put it: "Don't hurry to be on stage, and then have nothing to say!" So true! I've struggled with this myself. As musicians, we want to be performing, or writing, or whatever. That's "what we do". But as Christians, we must do it for His glory, not ours. Why do YOU want to be on stage? Are you ready with a message that God has given you to deliver? We may enjoy the "spotlight" - but if our reasons for being in it are wrong, it will only burn us! Maybe you've aready "been there", playing secular music for years, as I did. Or maybe you're just starting out, with little or no experience in performing. But either way, we need to keep Christ our priority. Not music, not ministry. Seek God's guidance for your life, and let Him direct you to where He wants you to serve. Be sure that He is first in your life, not the music.

We must be content where God places us, and faithfully serve no matter what the platform. In God's plan, there are no small places, no small people, no small tasks. Give the same effort to an audience of 5 or 10 that you would to a crowd of 500. If one soul is reached for Christ, if one Christian is encouraged in thier walk of faith, then that is good in His eyes. Your effectiveness as a music minister is not measured by the size of your audience! Consider this:You may never be asked to sing for more than 50 people at a time - how does that make your feel? If you're feeling discouraged about that, then you need to go back and re-examine your motives!

Remember, God's work does not depend on worldly means. He does not need individuals or organizations with great worldly power, wealth or popularity. But He does need people who are willing to put Him first, who then offer thier gifts to Him to be used for His glory. May I encourage you to do just that: Prayerfully consider His will for your life, make a closer relationship with Him your goal, (you'll never bring anyone closer to Him than you are), and then use your music (and any other gifts He's given you) to help reach and encourage others and further His kingdom!