My family and I served six years in Guatemala when I became aware nearly all the songs sung in churches were translations of hymns and worship songs written in the U.S. or elsewhere.
Guatemalans are creative and musical. I’m a composer. So I thought I’d help them write original music for their worship services.
During a break from my teaching commitments, we headed to a remote village to help in a popup seminary our organization had spearheaded. I took the opportunity to teach several sessions on writing worship music.
(Notice: At no time did I ever ask God if this was something he wanted me to do.)
…It was a complete failure.
All the songs written during that time, though in the Guatemalans’ native language, just sounded like all the other songs I write–not like songs they were writing. None of them were used beyond that week.
Running ahead of God, even for the kingdom’s benefit, is not the same as being in step with God.
A Better Fruit Salad
Years ago, I wrote the song “Fruit Salad” to help my kids memorize the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23. Unfortunately, knowing that we are to live lives characterized by the fruit of the Spirit–love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control–does not make it happen.
In verses 24-25, the apostle Paul gives us two steps to see ourselves transformed: to die to self (someone else can cover that idea) and be in step with the Spirit.
What could that look like in real life?
Don’t get ahead of God or fall behind.
Like my enthusiasm in Guatemala, in my excitement to see great things happen for the kingdom, I jump at opportunities that look good at the moment and then must force them to work.
As one commenter here on Go. Serve. Love recently mentioned, the Holy Spirit alone is our secret sauce.
(I’m not referring to the times when God’s leading is not clear, but when we fully know what he wants us to do.)
As you can imagine, this ends up being a waste of time and resources and often fails completely.
Don’t hesitate when God says “go.”
As we raised money to go overseas, I continued working as an air traffic controller in central Washington State. One night, as I left the tower cab after the facility closed, I heard an arriving passenger telling his wife that he would not be home until the following day.
As soon as I understood what was happening, the Holy Spirit spoke directly into my brain. “Take him home with you,” he said.
If I doubted what God wanted, his direction was repeated continually, louder each time.
Mentally, I argued vehemently. I do not know this guy. What would he think if I tapped him on the shoulder and told him God wanted him to spend the night at my house? I have a wife and four children. I need to keep them safe.
The Spirit was speaking undeniably to me as I passed him. I got into my car and headed home, though I don’t know how I was able to concentrate on driving with the din in my head.
When the hotel van passed me on its way to pick him up, the Holy Spirit fell silent within me. I cannot accurately explain how I felt at that moment, but I never want to feel that way again.
As soon as it was safe, I made a U-turn and headed back to the airport, praying that God would tell him to wait for me. He did not.
Whatever God had for me in that meeting was lost. Disobedience can steal God-sized opportunities from you.
Walk in sync with him.
Leading musical worship times is a deep joy for me, and I believe God’s given me a unique ability to do this.
My leadership style involves encouraging those on my team to use the gifts God has given them freely–yet with respect to what is happening in the whole sound.
We experience moments when all things come together uniquely, and the presence of God is felt like never before.
Maybe you’ve had a moment like that. You want to stop, hold your breath, and just be. When you and the Holy Spirit move in harmony, miraculous things can happen.
I am sure this is how Peter, James, and John felt at the transfiguration – overwhelmed by God’s presence. For a moment, God allowed them to see beyond the divider between the spiritual and the physical. Peter wanted to stay there.
We all would. But that’s not for now.
That’s our future! We still have lives of influence to live. The kingdom is not complete. Jesus led the three back down the mountain and back into service.
When we can rest in the work of the Spirit in and through our lives, we have the most significant impact.
Jeff Boesel serves as Director of Mobilization for One Challenge. Don’t miss his post, “I want to go…I think. What should I do first?”
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FREE PRINTABLE INFOGRAPHIC: 5 WAYS TO PRAY FOR GOD’S WILL AS YOU CONSIDER GOING OVERSEAS
Following Him: Am I “Called“?–Go. Serve. Love’s page of posts on following God
God’s Will–and the Clarity I Didn’t Have
He Said/She Said. You Say? “How can I know if God’s calling/leading me overseas?” Part I