During my fourth year in high school, a group of girls
(third & fourth year) and I decided to form the Christian Union (C.U)
choir. It was during this period that 'The battle of the school choirs' was
birthed. Christian Union choirs from different schools were to compete against
each other. I forget what the ultimate prize was.
We presented the idea to our school C.U patron, who then
spoke to the principal in allowing us to participate. We met almost every day
for prayer and practice. Our student leader was a musically gifted prayer
warrior third year (form 3) student.
By the time the competition day arrived we'd managed to
prepare several songs for the different categories that we'd been given and
even had extra songs, just in case. I can't remember how many schools were
present for the competition, but we sure were many.
Different groups would get on stage and make their well-arranged
presentations as the rest of us listened and cheered when they were done. There
is a specific song that our C.U patron wanted us to sing as our main
presentation.
Just before we went on stage, our student leader wrote a
note to be passed on, asking us to seek God on which song we were to present as
the grand presentation. She said that she felt we should pray about it. This
whole idea of praying for a song was new to us all, including the 'note passer'
coz we already knew what we were supposed to present, but we just obeyed and
prayed about it. Our patron had no idea what was happening, as she was seated
with the other teachers, away from where we were. To our surprise we all with
one voice picked another song (not the one our patron had advised.)
Imagine her shock when we began singing!
Something in the atmosphere changed as we began singing.
God's presence was so tangible in that hall. The other students rose up in
worship, others lay prostrate, others knelt down, while others, including the
judges broke down as they sat in their seats. Others burst out in Holy laughter
while others were slain in the Spirit. Some even came to the front, just below
the stage we were on, like during an 'altar call'.
We ended up singing many songs as the Spirit led, as one of
the judges took over and began praying with those who were facing different
issues including leading them to salvation. The other teachers and judges also
helped praying for the students. It was/is one of my most memorable experiences
with God in my high school years.
We never won the ultimate prize, neither were we top 3 but had
we sang the song our patron had picked, I'm certain that we would have won. The
beauty of it is that we were the group of people that God chose to use to bring
about His revival that day. It was for that reason and our availability as
usable vessels did we enter the competition. Coupled with our obedience to seek
God and follow His directive on what to sing. We purposed to pursue God’s will
instead of pleasing our patron or for the purpose of winning the competition.
Often times life presents us with opportunities where we are
to choose whether we want to win in the eyes of men, or in the eyes of God.
Winning in God's eyes most times means that we look like fools in man's eyes
and many of us feel we'd rather not. The pursuit of money, fame and the need to
remain politically correct has caused us opportunities to go deeper in God.
Queen Esther had settled in the palace, enjoying all that
came with the territory, forgetting why God had favored her to be picked to be
queen amongst all the beautiful women that had come for auditions. (Esther
4:1-12)
Mordecai had to slap her back to the reality of why she was
there. (Esther 4:13-14)
{Esther 4:14 NASB} “……….. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for
such a time as this?"
Everything we enjoy in life has nothing to do with us. You
may say, 'but I earned these privileges
through diligence and hard work' which is true, but it is God who gave you,
the ability to do so.
{Deuteronomy 8:18 AMP} But you shall
[earnestly] remember the Lord your God, for it is He Who gives you power to get
wealth…………..
But what about the air you breathe, the health you walk in,
the whole functioning of your body system……. The warm sun, the cool breeze etc.
what did you do to deserve/earn that?
God created us for His specific purpose. And it is therefore
imperative that we build an intimate connection with him, so that we seek to
consciously pursue his heart – that particular purpose.
Sometimes we tend to do many good Christian deeds, and in
people's eyes we are heroes, but end up missing out on what God had for us
because that is not what He had in mind for us. Can we find out what God wants
first?
We should prioritize according to God. We should base our
lives on God's purpose for us - what pleases Him first, and He'll ensure that
we enjoy the benefits that come with doing that. If you’re all about ensuring God’s
business is taken care of, He’ll ensure yours is taken care of, and then some. (Matt
6:33)
So, where are you at, what do you have and what does God
want to do through you? What’s that you have in your hand, God wants to use it.
Remember it’s all about God, His glory and the establishment of His kingdom. He
created you, placed you on this earth, gave you a purpose and an identity, gave
you the ability to function like Him on earth, ensured you woke up this morning…….
so please It’s got nothing to do with you!
Parting shot:
“IT’S NOT ABOUT “ME” AND IT’S NOT ABOUT “YOU”… IT’S ABOUT
JESUS CHRIST BEING LIFTED UP IN AND THROUGH OUR LIVES SO THAT HE CAN DRAW
OTHERS TO HIM!!!”…
Amen to that.............
ReplyDeleteVery well written
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