Worship Star?

Lights, adrenaline, music, the rush and people staring at YOU. The life many worship leaders and band musicians live every weekend. The life I have lived since I decided worship was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. But how can we separate the glory that is given to God from the one that we take ourselves?

For many years I served in a worship team thinking that God had called me to be there; to learn songs, play, worship Him and go home.

I ignored the cry of this world for help, the many people that surrounded me daily that needed someone to listen, the many people in my life that maybe just needed a smile.

But I faithfully served at church, playing music, and doing what I loved to do, thinking that it was enough. In some kind of way I found myself falling in love with the attention given to me by all the people who saw me play on the weekend.

As I left to Hillsong College I left thinking that I would find the attention that I had been getting back home. Only to find a big motto in the middle of my journey, "It's NOT about YOU". God started opening my eyes to the necessity in this world, to the people I had ignored because I was too busy thinking about myself, to the work that I could've, and can, do. So I left college to come back home encouraged and READY to change the world around me.

As I arrived home I got involved, and I started working hard for everything that was about to come my way. But days passed by and the fire started dying, my strength and enthusiasm faded away and I found myself in the comfort zone, and in the love for the attention that was given to me. I felt discouraged and angry with myself, "Everything I have learned has gone to WASTE!".

When suddenly the earthquake hit Haiti; and now you may think that I jumped right up and got involved... mhh... no. I sat on my butt as I saw others help out and be a part of the life change.

Until God woke me up from my selfishness, and said "This IS IT! This is what a worship leader looks like! Some who is concerned and acts on other people's needs!" in that moment, I got my lazy butt up and went and helped out. And as I packed away the food and medical needs, I could picture the faces of thousands of people filled with hope, filled

with joy, filled with love as they received their every need. I couldn't help but smile and realize what God has been doing in my life.

"We push DOWN the four walls of our church, to see your name lifted HIGH"- Joel Houston.

Not a Blogger...

So I know I haven't blogged since... well... six months ago. But I'm going to try to keep this up this time. My time in Australia has been amazing. I've met so many amazing people. People who I can really call friends, who have helped me shape my life in ways that I never thought possible. People who stood by my side when my world seemed to be falling apart.

As much as I thought this experience was going to be amazing I was not nearly prepared for the journey that God was about to take me on. I went through experiences that shaped my faith forever. Moments where I thought i wasn't going to be able to go back to Australia... Where God really tested my faith and my loyalty to Him. In this process I really understood the meaning of the powerful word FAITH.

I had to hold on to His promises for my life; to the dreams He had given me, that I had given up on. Because of my selfishness I put in danger someone else's dreams, and ruined a great relationship in the process. But I have to keep going. I have to keep moving on. So as I start a new semester, a new season, and a new process in my life. I have to give God all the Glory for the person on which I have become... NOT perfect, but much more aware of His love for all of us, and also the responsibility that carries knowing so.

So, I'll see what new opportunities, challenges, experiences, friendships, and trials God has for me in this new year... I'm expectant but full enthusiasm for the second chance God has given me to keep going.