Inspire Courage

En.cour.age (verb) – to inspire with courage

I love the fact that God has not just called us to Himself, but calls us to His family – desiring us to be little vessels of His riches to one another.  Sometimes for me being courageous requires a friend or two backing me up in opportune moments.

Last week I was asked to lead worship at our children’s chapel time at school.  I’ve led worship – but that was a couple of years ago, for a small missionary team of about 10 people (who were very forgiving of my lack of real musical prowess.)  This time I would be leading for roughly 140 people – and little ones at that, who get bored easily if you don’t use little hand gestures with your songs. I was a bit intimidated.

That morning, I got a text message from one of my teammates from the old missionary team.  She was listening to a song I used to lead and just wanted to tell me how much she loved it when I led worship, and how God had used me as a worship leader to bless her.  I responded to her with thanksgiving – her words were so timely as I was so nervous.  They reminded me of what God had done in my life to equip me for this, even if I didn’t feel like I had “enough” to bring for those kids.  

As I went into worship that morning I just focused on her words and God’s faithfulness. Her words gave me the courage to bring my little sack lunch to God and just love Him.

By the end of the worship time, God was moving so powerfully in the room, fourth graders were weeping, singing, or praying for one another. The kindergarteners were sweetly lying on the floor just resting with the Lord. And the kids were singing loudly – without me. I just sat playing my guitar as they took over completely.  It may have been one of the sweetest times of worship I’ve ever had. And I all I really did was just show up, thanks to some encouraging words from a friend.

Encouraging words + my sack lunch of faith + taking a risk = God doing His thing and blessing His people.