Last fall I was excited to see the public invitation to join the community choir to perform the Messiah, but after the first practice, I was daunted.
That was too hard.
I can’t read music. I sing too fast, too slow, too flat. I remembered the time years ago in a huge community Messiah sing-along, my enthusiastic voice rang out solo on the last hallelujah, one beat too soon. I wanted to crawl under the pew.
Maybe I should abandon this idea now before I embarrass myself again.
But I went back the next week, and the next, and the next. A month later, I was thrilled to be dressed in concert black, a part of the choir on the stage, singing those wonderful words and that heavenly music.
A few days ago I was excited about having a blog, about writing a story each week, but after the first one, I am daunted. I’m not a great writer. I can’t learn the computer language and maintain a website. The email send-out failed.
Maybe I should abandon this idea now before I embarrass myself again.
I am well-acquainted with the temptation to quit.
And sometimes I quit even before I start.
Like when I was asked to lead the children in weekly worship time. “I can’t do that.” I emailed. “I do play the guitar but not in public. I can’t keep my guitar in tune and my voice cracks and I can’t find the starting note and my fingers mix up the chords. So Nope. Sorry. Not me. I can’t do that.”
I did think about Moses as I typed that email – see Exodus 4 – but I totally expected someone else would step up, a better someone, who would do a better job.
That week I was chatting with my Ethiopian son-in-law. (Maybe someday I will tell the story of how I got the privilege of having an Ethiopian son-in-law.) I hadn’t told him that I’d been asked to lead children’s worship but for some reason that was the day he told me this story:
Famous Christian Singer came to their church in Addis Abeba to give a concert. Young Man from the church was playing the keyboard for him but Famous Christian Singer complained to Pastor. “Don’t you have a better keyboard player?”
Pastor went to Son-in-law, who is a good pianist, saying, “Famous Christian Singer is unhappy with Young Man playing. Would you please come and play for him?” Son-in-law said he would speak with Famous Christian Singer.
Finding Famous Christian Singer, Son-in-law asked him if it was true he was unhappy with Young Man’s playing. He said yes, he wanted someone better to play. Son-in-law then said, “Famous Christian Singer, Young Man is a good-enough player. He is learning. He will play for you. And you — you are forgetting the Holy Spirit.”
Ouch.
I retracted my email and began leading the children’s singing that next Sunday. And I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Almost as much as the Messiah.
“Use the talents you possess, for the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except the best.” – Henry Van Dyck
The woods is a big place and it needs all of us birds.
So this ordinary bird will keep on: singing and writing and enjoying the ‘woods’ –remembering God’s Spirit is here.
I love your post, Sarah! Thanks for sharing and for glorifying God by being you.
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when I read your words, I feel like I have gone back in time and am sitting at your kitchen table having a conversation with you. So encouraging! ❤
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You and your “Ethiopian son-in-law” both have a lot of guts. Thank you for sharing! (And you are a great writer!)
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What a wise son in love…
Love you dearly … keep writing so we can learn with you.
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I love this, Mom! that’s such a great quote from Van Dyck. so convicting and encouraging!
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Your first blog made me cry!! So please keep writing!!
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Your comment makes me cry . . . I love you.
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What an apt application of truth. The Spirit helps us in our weakness. Thank you, Sarah!
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Thanks Sarah! And I was there through your ordeal, never guessing that was the case! Your little light shines through you know! A treasure for Him, a great story for us.
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Great job!! You are a great writer.
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Wow, Sarah! What a message.
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