Tag: Work

If I Only Knew

Have you ever had an, “If I only knew,” moment? The kind of moment that you look back at something wishing you would have known ahead of time so you could have done something different.

If I only knew that buying furniture on credit as a young couple would spiral into a mess of credit card debt, I would have….

If I only knew that the company I worked for was going to downsize this year, I would have….

If I only knew that my friend would be shot and killed today, I would have…..

If I only knew that the children in that neighborhood didn’t have shoes, I would have….

If I only knew that there was a need in ministry for this, I would have….

If I only knew that God was leading me in this direction, I would have…

If I only knew my kids were feeling this way, I would have….

Life would look different if we had some crystal ball or mirror we could look into and see the future, but that’s just a Disney movie. But God can see what is, was, and will be, for each of us.
Have I not commanded you?
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done.” Isaiah 43:1-3, 13 NLT
“O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel, and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!” Psalms 139:1-6 NLT

God knows our struggles, the struggles of others, and also what each of us needs. He sent his son, Jesus to the earth to live a life as human, yet as God, to reconcile us to his purpose for eternity. Jesus told the woman at the well, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” (John 4:10 NLT) When the woman at the well discovered that she was in the presence of the Son of God, the Messiah, she and many in her village became believers.

13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:13-15 NIV)

It is my responsibility as a Christian, (and of every Christian) to make sure others ‘know’ the story of Jesus. To listen to the life stories of others so I know what is going on in their life, how/what to pray for, how I might help them and how to connect God’s story with them. It’s my responsibility to know what’s going on in my neighborhood, what’s going on in the schools, what’s going on in the ministries and the lives of my friends by asking critical questions often.

We must put aside the excuses of saying…
IF WE ONLY KNEW

Written by Jeff Shicks, Executive Director at Youth for Christ, Nashville, TN. To find out more about Jeff or Youth for Christ, visit www.nashvilleyfc.org.

You Can’t Tell Me What to Wear!

I think it’s time for some worship leaders to grow up.  I know the artsy types are free thinkers, like to push the boundaries around them, and don’t like to be told what to do.  It’s part of their creative make-up and helps make them who they are:  explorers.  However, I believe that these reasons are sometimes just excuses to circumvent the expected, and many times in the process hurt and offend others.

I recently attended a wedding.  The setting was a small Catholic church, complete with hardwood pews, kneeling benches, and stained glass windows.  This traditional setting had a modest sound system and had added a retractable screen for a projector, but otherwise every effort had been made to keep the aesthetics true to its history.  This wedding was a formal event, most people in suits or dresses.  

After I was seated, I was admiring the skill of the worship leader who was playing, singing, and just providing a nice ambiance before the ceremony.  It was then I was horrified.  The worship leader was also in a suit and tie, but decided to express his uniqueness by wearing teal Converse.  This man was being paid by the bride and groom, and obviously expectations were set by them, the pastor, and the sacredness of the event; yet I felt like they were totally disrespected.  I felt embarrassed for them by this rude gesture.

Each Sunday, anyone on the platform represents the church and pastor.  In many cases, the pastor has set a climate or culture that they want established.  There are guidelines set, whether written or verbal.  This can vary from a suit and tie, to jeans and a t-shirt.  Whatever the expectation, those who are allowed the privilege of serving on the platform should follow the dress code.

And this is where many worship leaders say, “You can’t tell me what to wear!”  Think about other jobs:  McDonalds tells their employees what to wear; nurses are told what to wear; and offices set a dress code.  Truth is, most of us are told what is acceptable and what is not.  

So I’d like to encourage every worship leader to put their pride aside and be sure they are following the rules given to them.  There is great freedom within the boundaries set, as long as we are obedient within those parameters.  Show respect to the people or event you are participating in, whether it is a church service, wedding, VBS, or funeral.  Meet the expectations, and represent the authorities above well.

Written By: Dave Feltman. Dave is a Search Coach for Froot Group, a worship staffing and consulting company.

Give Yourself a Break

Typically, for worship leaders specifically, summer is a “slower” time of the year.  Once September arrives, you are already planning Christmas, doing a quick hit on Veteran’s Day, then before you know it into Easter, Memorial Day, and Fourth of July.  Not taking into account all the other special days your church might have coming up:  baby dedications, sermon series, Mission’s Convention, community outreach, and the list goes on.  There seems to always be something pressing you.

 

That’s why when you have a natural break, you need to take it!  You might say, “Well now that there’s a break, I can catch up on another project.”  I tried that.  For all of May and June, I worked longer hours, to the point that everything else was on hold.  For me, I notice it in my backyard.  The weeds were bountiful, there was no new mulch, the flower pots were empty, the grill was covered, and the pool was green.  It really hit me the first week of July that I was overworked, tired, and burnt out.  And it was my own fault.

 

The past few weeks I have remedied the problem.  I have limited work hours, and made an effort to take time:  for me, to be with people, and to catch up the yard.  Today is a milestone…I went in the pool.  It is crystal clear, the yard is mowed, the weeds gone, the plants and flowers planted.  I am seizing the time I have, because I can see the next project coming.

 

How about you?  Have you been able to give yourself a break?  If you haven’t it’s not too late.  Take advantage of any lull you have and get away from work.  Spend time on your hobby, meet with friends, get your chores done around the house.  You will feel better, and it will recharge your battery so when the rush of work comes again, you will be ready.  When you take care of yourself, you are then able to give to others.

Written by Dave Feltman. Dave is a search coach for Froot Group, a worship staffing company.