This past Saturday I had the opportunity to perform a fundraiser I have been working on for months called Songs to the Nations. It was a night of stories and songs that I had written or covered that conveyed the story that God has been writing in my life. While at first, the purpose was to bring awareness and fundraise for global missions I ended up discovering something even greater. I realized the joy that I found in songwriting and storytelling.
I was so encouraged by the group of people that came out and supported the event. My family, friends, and complete strangers flooded a little downtown coffee shop to hear these stories. It was so humbling. It reminded me of God’s sovereignty and goodness. He knew every one of the people that would be there and knew what they needed to hear. Leading up to this fundraising event I felt inadequate and I was covered with fear. I felt like no one would care, and that what I had to say held no value. BUT GOD… But God moved! He used my fear and turned it into boldness. It was so freeing to get to share my true heart for missions with my peers.
I’ve always enjoyed singing, but I just told myself that God didn’t want me to use those gifts… which is just not how God works. He gave us gifts and talents and wants us to steward it and give it all for His glory. Proverbs 3:9 says, ” Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of your crops.” I love this verse. Many times it is spoken over our finances, but I think it pertains to everything in our lives. He desires us to give Him our best, and He deserves nothing less. He is worthy of all that we have because He first gave it to us.
Gearing up for this event made me realize that I love processing through song, and I realized the power of storytelling through song. This event made me realize that I need to steward this well and that I want to take time to explore that deeper with God.
By no means am I an award-winning songwriter, but that is the fun in the adventure. It doesn’t have to be perfect; it is simply about the process.
If you are in the Greensboro area I will be holding the same fundraiser at 7:00 pm at Tate Street Coffee!
