The Evolution of “A Call”
I have long disliked the concept of a “call” in Christian ministry. Let me explain.
I have long disliked the concept of a “call” in Christian ministry. Let me explain.
Struggling with staying humble as a music leader in a worship service is not a pitfall, it is a certainty. The dark-side of a desire to inspire is the desire to be appreciated and seen.
Well they are trending for me anyway. As I look on CD Baby to see what people are listening to and buying it is interesting.
In my current work with charities (ideaPraxy) it is amazing to see how God is working through various organizations partnering together over the years and presently. There is one church with many parts. May we constantly be reminded of the impact of using our gifts as diligently as we can to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
After such a long break from posting here I would be very surprised that many would be checking back.
It has been an incredibly interesting year since I last posted. For all intents I have retired from truly pursuing a professional career in music. The occasional “gig” is still happening and I have begun to look at Logic again and see what I was in process on when I took a break, but ultimately there are no plans for anything significant.
I must do what I say and believe most deeply, at least as much as I say it, I must do it. I must repent and turn from the dark, I must understand and live the light….I must do…..
I am simply passing on learning here, I am not an authority or originator of this concept. You may have heard the phrase “Your net worth will only ever be a large as your self worth.” Cheesy? I don’t think so.
Another concept that I have learned from this month’s success magazine via Joel Harper is deserve level. Do I think I deserve to be in shape? Do I think I deserve to succeed in life and family etc?
Something to think about. In my life there are certain things that I value so highly, that I think I deserve, or my family deserves, that I do what it takes to get it or give it. Pragmatically, Joel talks about finding a way to transfer that deserve level to areas of your life where for some reason or another you have not accepted it.
I really do not think this is an easy one, but I do think it is incredibly important. Think about how you can raise your deserve level in an area that you are unsatisfied with.
You have heard a little of this before on this blog, and maybe this is simply more self-justification, but I must say I believe in do-overs. Maybe I mean start overs, maybe I mean start a new, maybe I mean just starting late.
I have an aunt who I respect greatly. I would say that she has not had the easiest pathway, and at one point needed to do over, in her 40’s. So she did. Got a law degree, became a lawyer, and is now, and will retire a judge. Nice do over!
When I was 16 I wanted a studio. I wanted to record my own music, I wanted to be that guy. Well it wasn’t until about 5 years ago that I finally got one, and I feel like every song I produce I am getting better and closer to doing something of the quality I dreamed of all those years ago.
One thing I will tell you, is that you need support. In life you need encouragement, and it is important to surround yourself with the delusionally supportive (my children really think I am famous!), the unconditionally supportive (my beautiful wife speaks the truth in love) and the constructively supportive (I have a few voices that have generously critiqued my progress these past few years, and they are helping me get better). I would suggest none of the purely critical, it is hard enough sticking to things when you receive good feedback, negativity is just hard.
I can’t encourage you enough. If you have found it and are doing it, good for you. You are blessed, keep doing it and get better!! For the rest of us, start now. Do over from scratch. Find a way to do your passion. I am not talking about being reckless and quitting a job. I am talking about being passionate and chasing a dream.
Yes it is a roller coaster and perspective is everything. Find ways to keep perspective. Last night I was up far too late, tired and bleary eyed, producing the next song, and it was great. The process was great, I kind of felt like that guy, even if just for a while.