Thursday February 10th will be a day I remember for the rest of my life.
Here at the Guatemala AIM base we do this thing every Thursday called Activation. This is where we are taught a lesson in the morning and in the afternoon we go out and “activate” or apply what we just learned.
The day prior, one of my ministry hosts who we call “Chako” mentioned to my team how he is going to be leading worship the next day for activation. My team took no time to hesitate saying how much I love to worship and sing. I immediately looked at them and had a look on my face like “shhh don’t give him any ideas”. Chako then asked if I wanted to help him lead worship and said how he will just be playing guitar and I can sing whatever comes to my heart. I pretty much instantly turned the offer down and went on with the rest of my day.
The next morning (Activation day) I felt convicted about shooting down the offer. I had been asking the Lord for opportunities to sing more or lead more and He gave me one, it just did not look how I was expecting.
Worship was held and during it I kept feeling like I was supposed to be up there but told myself “it’s too late anyways”. The word ‘obedience’ was put on my heart and I felt like the Lord was saying how I need to be serious about stepping into obedience.
We had a time where some of the AIM staff could pray over anyone who would like to receive a prayer of receiving the Holy Spirit. I walked up and before I even explained my story of conviction, I had the word, obedience spoken over me multiple times. After that I really needed some time to process so I went outside and sat with the Lord.
During that time I asked to hear the Lords voice and I sat in silence for a couple minutes and then I finally heard, “get ready”. I was so confused, I was asking all sorts of questions like “what do you mean ‘get ready’?” and “get ready for what?” I then walked back into the room and the staff were still praying over people but worship picked back up. We typically do not do a second round of worship, but Chako started again.
I sat and talked with one of the girls on my team, Kayli, about what the Lord was doing during this time for the both of us. At the end I shared about my regret on declining the worship offer because I was too afraid. She eventually went back to her seat and I sat by myself for not even thirty seconds before Kayli came back over. Her body language was different from before. She curiously stated how she felt like the Holy Spirit was directing her to tell me to go up and start singing. I immediately was like “are your crazy!” “did you not just hear how scared I would be?” But before I had anymore time to speak, Chako said my name in the microphone and I looked at him like “oh no this is not about to happen”. He called me up and told me to come sing with him.
I stood up out of my chair almost as if I was expecting it. I have never shaken so much in my life. My nervousness was written all over my face. I took a few deep breaths and began to sing, I was so uncomfortable yet I felt at peace that it was where the Lord had called me to be right then and there. It was just me, the microphone and Chako playing guitar while occasionally jumping in. Everyone in the crowd was watching me. That was different. But every person I made eye contact with gave me support whether it be a head nod, thumbs up or a wink. What a beautiful community I have here. My teammates were cheering for me and were my biggest fans.
Even though I turned down the initial offer, the Lord gave me another change to be obedient. I took that step and the Lord showed up.
Before the race, if you were to tell me that at the six month mark I would be upfront leading worship for my squad, I would of called you crazy. My own family does not even know what my singing voice sounds like! I have learned that pressing into the uncomfortable moments is where I have grown the most. Obedience to the Lord will take on a wild adventure that is always rewarding. If Kayli did not choose obedience in telling me to go up and sing, I never would of been encouraged. If Chako did not choose obedience, I never would of actually gone up. The choice of obedience is always rewarding and you never know the ripple affect it has on others.
The Lord gives us gifts, it’s selfish if we only use them for ourselves. Share them with others to lead them to Christ. I never used to have any confidence when it came to singing but now I sing literally everywhere I go. What a testament to the Lords goodness! The Lord showed me a passion I did not even know I had, and made something beautiful out of it that glorifies Him! Freely give what you have freely received! Thanks God!
Me and Chako leading worship!
In love with this!!! Thanks God!!
Evie,
I am so proud of you! Obedience brings blessings.
The Lord cares about your heart and your worship. Your voice is a sweet aroma and sound to Him. He gave you your voice to sing praises to Him and to lead others to Christ.
Love you more than the whole wide world.
Miss you so much.
Mom Mom
(Next time you lead worship record and upload the video.)??????????
Oops. The question marks were emoji hearts and praying hands.
I am so proud of you! How heaven rejoiced when you chose to listen and obey~ What a great lesson for all of us. Thank you for sharing how God is growing you and how He is being glorified through your team. This experience will be a “stone of remembrance” for you; a time you can recount of God calling you and His faithfulness to provide everything you needed to be obedient. God bless you sweet girl!
So glad God didn’t let you miss the blessings that He was ready to bestow on you. Keep singing!
Obedience to the Holy Spirit always yields a blessing! So beautiful that you are using your gifts for His Glory, even when it means stepping out of your comfort! ??????
Oops. Question marks were praise hands and heart emojis.
Love this and love you! God is so so good all the time! Just trying to figure out how to make a Raspa worship band with one singer and 3 cellists! But at least we know the name will be The Billie Andews Worship Group. ??
That is so awesome Evelyn!! God us using you to bless others through your singing and do many other ways. You are an encouragement to me!
We have a big picture frame on our wall with the words “The will of God will not take you where the Grace of God will not protect you”. A kind of little soo true, but a bit cheesy scripture fact you may have heard before. The command to “fear not” is in the Bible 365 times – (one for each day of the year).
From one worship leader to another, sing for an audience of One. . . . . In front of other people. You will be blessed by it and so will they.
LOVE this!!!
What wonderful words of encouragement for my much loved granddaughter.
Evie, this blesses my heart beyond words! You are the fulfillment of God’s promise to bless His children and their children and their children! What a good, good Father we have! Surrendering our will to God’s is the result of taking the pride of “me” out of the decision and it always blesses. I am so proud of the Godly young woman of character you are and pray you continue to grow in His love and blessings. I must tell you something I preach to myself every day—don’t look to the right or left, or in front of or behind you. Keep looking up! Miss you so much and can hardly wait to see you again. YOU ARE SO LOVED!
Gran
Obedience isn’t always comfortable. Submitting to God will usually take us to unexpected places. The Lord, Father God, is waiting for our “yes” to unveil the gifts He already gave us but were left unopened. We are what we think we are until He shows us who He says we are. Then nothing is impossible and power and blessings are released. You are a beautiful inspiration. You are being set free, empowered and transformed.
It’s one of my biggest pet peeves when the Lord gives someone a gift and that person doesn’t use it for the advancement of the Kingdom, haha. I love that you said yes! And I love your heart in that you’ll keep saying yes. I wish I could’ve been a fly on the wall!!
Evelyn what a beautiful encouragement!! I am so proud of you & what God is doing in your life & through your life. Praying for you!!??
Woohoo! Thank you for telling this story, Evelyn. Obedience takes courage- it’s scary to put yourself out there. Keep singing for Jesus- He loves it!
This is awesome!! Obedience is better than sacrifice! The Lord sings over you when you sing for Him!! Keep singing!