I think my serious interest in Singing started
when I was about 12 years old. I would do the odd specials at church singing my
favourite songs, sometimes alone, sometimes with my best friend. I really
enjoyed singing. When I was about 15 years old, myself, along with a few other girls at the
church started singing with the music band for prayer services only. I was
enjoying the singing “once in a while”.
Than, my worst nightmare happened. Okay, no it wasn’t my worst nightmare
but it was a really scary and nerve wrecking time. I remember it was January
2001, I was 16 at the time and we had just return from a family vacation in
California. I was really happy to be at church again because I had missed it!
And it turns out there were no musicians or singers. I vaguely remember what exactly
happened but what I do know is that the “experienced” musicians had left for
various reasons. So all who were left, were the kids who were learning how to
play & sing, the piano (my brother), the drummer, and the bass player – all
newbies. And so, the pastor and another
brother, asked us to go up and help sing during the church service and it end
up being every church service! We were all learning and we did some really big
mess ups at times (poor congregation!!!) I remember singing a song that was in major
note and the boys playing it in minor note! Vice versa used to happen at times
too….lol….I remember feeling frustrated at times, but I had gotten a passion to
sing, so I didn’t let my frustration make me give it up. We practiced for
countless of hours, and I also did get some singing lessons, to help me learn
techniques and to breath properly! I was losing my voice every service, and my
mom thought I needed some training. She was right, I was losing my voice,
because I wasn’t breathing properly!! Anyway, I had the greatest singing
teacher, I’m sad I lost contact with her, because she really encouraged me and
helped me believe in myself. I look back at the positive influence she had in
my “singing ministry” and I wish I could tell her and thank her. I don’t
believe she was Christian, but none the less, God used her to encourage me to keep
trying.
Needless to say, with time and lots of practice,
sometimes frustrating times, those kids got better and better. I started having amazing
experiences with God while singing. I shall share some of them on this blog. My
faith grew, my love for God grew. I can say that maybe this singing ministry is
what kept me from the world, because I loved this ministry so much I didn’t
want to take part in anything that could taint what God was doing in my life
through it. The Lord daily started pouring in me with his passion and love to
do better in this ministry and be a blessing for the congregation.
Eventually, I assumed the role of Worship leader at the church, being the main singer, it kinda just happened. Here we are 11 years later and I wouldn’t change
this life for anything. I love singing for the Lord! The feeling I get when I sing for God, cannot compare. At times I feel like I get so lost in Jesus' presence when singing that I don't want to stop, it's quite amazing! It's something I can never stop thanking the Lord for. What an honour and blessing to my life it is. I could choose to sing to other things but there’s something about the way God makes me feel when I sing to him. It’s so liberating, it’s so empowering, It’s so welcoming, it’s so….I can’t explain it. Sometimes I wish I could explode into a million pieces and each piece of me could give praise to His name, I know it sounds weird. But there’s just such a power when we lift up the name of Jesus. His presence is like an overflowing river in my soul!
Moving along, although not all of those who started in that
original group 11 years ago, are still in this same group, God has taken them
to different places and allowed them to grow to different levels and ministries.
I am thankful for each person God has allowed me to minister alongside with,
every musician, every singer. I’ve learned a lot from each of them and I’m grateful
for the impact each of them had in my life. As for the current group I minister
with, I love them so dearly. I love the passion and love with which they serve God. I love all the laughs, funny moments, practices,
all the memories we are creating together. I love that we are fighting this
battle together in unity and are winning it in Jesus name.
I'm also thankful for my mother and husband, who have had patience with me as my ministry grew, who have been there to hear me out when frustrations over situations in ministry and insecurities took over my thoughts. Having their prayers, support, love and advice, helped me continue on and be where I am at today. : )
And last but not least, I'm also thankful to for my Pastors, for believing in me and trusting me, giving me the opportunity to serve in this great ministry all these years.
So yes, that’s how my love for the music ministry
started. Will you join me as I keep creating memories and sharing my
experiences?
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