I never lead worship by myself. Russell and I have gotten so used to singing and leading together that doing anything apart is foreign anymore…which is a good thing, really.  So when I got a call from Jen Weiler, our student pastor’s wife, a couple months ago asking me to lead worship for THRIVE, I was shocked, nervous, apprehensive, scared, all those insecure things.  THRIVE is a once a year event of over 300 6th to 12th grade girls gathering to be encouraged and pampered by women of all ages. It is the living out of Titus 2 where it says:  Older women…are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. (Titus 2:3-5 ESV)

Don’t get me wrong.  I wanted to do it but I was afraid of being by myself without Russell. He does almost all of the leading when we lead praise and worship.  I usually just sing, which I love very much!  So I told Jen that I would think and pray about it and then call her with a decision.  After talking it over with Russell and with God, I decided it was exactly what I was supposed to do.  I was excited, still nervous, but excited.

Well, the day came for THRIVE. I had assembled a team of three other women to help me and Tom Garber, our musical director, had put together an awesome band from the unbelievable talent pool we have at beachCHURCH. We were ready.  Was I still nervous, insecure, plain scared?  YES!  However, I was so encouraged by my awesome husband to step out and do what God was wanting to do in and through me.  I had been wanting to be more comfortable in leading others to worship our awesome Creator and King. Now was the time to do it.

Tom also told me something while practicing one day.  He told me that this is not about performing, which I had done in theaters for so many years. He told me to speak to them as a mom, to look at those girls, all 300 of them, as I would my own daughter.  That’s when it sunk in.  That’s what I needed to hear.  I was there to lead them to worship, all the while worshipping our Lord first.  I was to be the Lead Worshipper.  This was not about me after all.  Yes, God was doing something in me through this experience, but it was about these teenagers,  these beautiful girls that God has a plan and purpose for.  And ultimately it was about worshipping the One Who has each of their lives, and mine and yours, so intricately planned and designed according to our gifts and talents that He gave us when He created us.  We don’t have to be afraid to live out the life He has for us.  I didn’t have to be insecure and timid in stepping up and leading those girls, in doing what God was calling me to do.  You don’t either.

Let God do amazing things in and through you, things that you wouldn’t think possible.  That’s what He does best – the impossible, because all things are possible with God.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27 ESV)

I loved seeing all those girls come together to have fun and just be pampered for the day. Not to mention all 200+ ladies that volunteered to do the pampering. I love to see the body of Christ serve each other.  I think that’s when we see Jesus’ love the most. We need to do more of that, serving each other, building up each other, mentoring the younger generation.

Jenna Lucado did a wonderful job sharing from her heart with the girls.  She related well to them with such ease and sincerity.  I loved her immediately upon meeting her earlier that day. She was real, very refreshing to talk to.  I have always loved her dad, Max Lucado.  I have read many of his books and have learned so much from them.  It’s great to see the next generation in the Lucado family rising up and taking their place among all those who speak into the younger generation.

I love to run. Well…love might be a little strong. I love the accomplishment I feel after running and knowing I’m doing something good for my body. I also love running with Britt Nicole. Britt and I have been running together now for many years. On days when I’m not running with anybody else, Britt is always there. You see, Britt Nicole is on my iPhone and I love to run while listening to her. She has great music and seems to have such a heart for telling others about the love of our Savior.

Lately, I’ve been listening to her new CD, “GOLD.” I love it…didn’t really expect to feel any differently. The song I really dig right now by her is “All This Time.” The song talks about the day her parents’ divorced, how torn up she was about it, and how God was, and has been, there for her every moment from then to now. There is actually a track where she tells her story and why she wrote the song.

It got me thinking…we all have a story. What is yours? What is mine? We all have reasons to share our story because it shows the hand of God working throughout all of our circumstances. He is there all the time. He is using everything we go through to shape us and mold us into the people we were created to be. Philippians 1:6 tells us to ” be confident of this, that He Who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.” That means that we can be sure that He isn’t finished with us yet. Our story, His story, our lives, have a purpose.

Consider sharing your story. Leave it in the comment section. I encourage you to think about your life so far and what God has carried you through. I’d love to hear about it and it just might be used to encourage someone else.

Have a great Saturday!

Kristi