CONSTANTLY His

I am stepping back from a ministry I have, in some form or fashion, been involved in for most of my life … the ministry of worship through music. God is opening up new ministries to me, and after a great deal of prayer, I sense the need to place my time and focus on these new opportunities.

This leaves me wondering though: am I still a vocalist? Am I still a worship leader? Am I still a pianist?

Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do.” So if I am longer “doing” these things, does it change who I am?

I question if Aristotle was correct. Are we what we do? Or do we do the things that we inherently are?

I am still a singer because I am capable of singing, and I love to sing, and God has given me the ability to sing. I am still a pianist because I am capable of playing the piano and will continue to play. I am still a worship leader because my willingness to praise God openly and worship Him fully in front of others allows those around me to feel a freedom to do the same. These are gifts and abilities He has placed in me. My presence on a stage or amidst a crowd does not change any of this. But if I were incapable of doing these things, would that change who I am?

For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

psalm 139:13-16

I say no. I am not what I do. I am who I am: a child of the Most High God. Nothing ever can or will change my identity in Christ. I was bought at a price and adopted into the family of God. I am His. He sees me and knows me regardless of my physical location or activity.

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

ephesians 1:13-14

The only constant on this earth is change. I love the irony of this statement. No change means no growth. No change means no progress. No change means that God, who is constantly moving, is off somewhere pursuing us and others, and we are stuck in the same place, left behind.

Change is hard, but change is good.

When God first pricked my heart and mind about my need to let go of worship leadership, I felt absolutely heartbroken. I love the people with whom I serve. I love the ministry. God has blessed me with a fire and a passion in this area for so long. I did not immediately welcome this change.

In true God-like fashion though, His kindness slowly brought me to not only a place of peace, but excitement for the future. He is doing something new, and if I am obedient, I get to enjoy a small part of whatever takes place. Nothing brings me greater joy than serving Him and expanding the Kingdom of God.

So, bring on the change! I will rest confidently in the knowledge that I am eternally His, and He is mine.  Thank God (literally) – we are in this together.

CONSTANTLY His,

Nicki