So, I’ve got a confession to make…….I recently spent an
evening at the Zoo Amphitheater rocking out to Poison and Def Leppard. Yep,
that’s right. I grew up a fan of the 80’s hair bands, and I’m not afraid to
admit it. Honestly, growing up there was probably not one thing that I thought
about more than being just that, a rock star. I used to turn the lights off in
my room, crank up the MTV, strap on my guitar and rock out like I was up on
stage. Like most boys at that time I wanted the fame, the money, and I wanted
the girls too. But fortunately for me, the lies in my head told me that I
wasn’t good enough to be one of them. “Fortunately?” you ask. Yes. Had I been
one of them I may have ended up just like one of them. I mean, yeah they had
the fame and the money, they even had the women. But with that, most of them
got the trouble, the drug abuse, and the sexually transmitted diseases that
came along with it, and that’s if they even found their way through it. Many of
them didn’t even make it out alive. They spent so many years on the road
seeking out all that glory and fame that they didn’t have the time to truly
live. Most of them didn’t have families, and if they did they never got to see
them. Heck, most of them probably didn’t have the pleasure of enjoying those
close relationships that so many of us live for.
I was reminded a few days ago (after attending the concert)
about how God puts us in certain situations and opens certain doors for us, and
if we are obedient enough to it, we may find that we end up doing things that
we never imagined. Case in point……..several months ago I was put on the spot
and asked if I would like to Emcee for the Saturday night children’s ministry. I
was told that several of them had talked and they thought that I would be a
good fit. What? Me with a microphone, singing and dancing???? Uh yeah! I mean,
didn’t I grow up dreaming of being in the spotlight. I mean sure it was a
different spot light, but this was my opportunity. I was never one to put
myself out there in front of others…….I mean what would they think? Well, I
mean they are just kids, but still. Did I mention the singing and dancing???? Anyways,
so I was told by the children’s pastor that I could pray about it. “Yes, I’ll
do it!!” I didn’t pray about it, I blurted it out right away. What was I
thinking? Well I wasn’t. About time!! Yes, for once in my life I answered a
question based on my gut reaction, instead of trying to analyze it from every
angle. As I told her, I didn’t think God would have put it out there if I wasn’t
supposed to do it. Four months later and I am loving it!! Every week I look
forward to putting on that headset and worshiping and praising with those kids.
It’s been a major game changer in other areas as well. I
definitely feel more comfortable in my own skin, and feel better about putting
myself out there in other situations as well. I feel more comfortable talking
to my boss, whether it’s something he wants to hear or not, and I feel more
comfortable meeting new people….and actually getting to know them a little. And
it’s opened my eyes to the fact that God has so much more in store for us than
we could ever imagine.
So, I guess the moral of the story is to not be afraid
to go places that you never thought you could or would go. Whether you know it
or not, God has a way of putting things in our paths. We can choose to trip over
them, step over them and move on, or pick them up and run with them. I hope that after reading this you will choose to pick them up and run with them!!
Thanks again for reading.
Brian
