Sunday night was a huge ministry highlight of my life. After not leading worship for several months, I came out of "retirement." But what made it special was that I led a couple of songs with my daughter, Morgan. We postponed Vertical Worship one week because of last Sunday's weather - so we lost our female vocalist (who went back to Cedarville). So I asked Morgan to step in for two songs. And my heart was filled with joy to share that experience with her. She has a great voice, but I'm more moved by her desire to please God and use the gifts she has been given by Him.
Yet, public serving is a scary thing. Jesus said that the only way to be sure of your reward is to serve privately; when you serve privately, your motives are more likely pure (Matthew 6). But there are some areas of service that are impossible to do completely privately, and many of them are VERY public. Jesus' point was always about motive.
Here are the four things I talked to the girls about:
ON THE POSITIVE SIDE:
- Using the gifts God has given for His glory is among the most fulfilling moments of life. There are very few things that compare to living for God's glory, using your gifts to impact others. There is great joy in that.
- There is nothing like doing what you love with people that you love. Last night I led worship with a group of friends (Mark, Gary, Jim, Willie, and Harlan). I serve on staff with a group of friends. For all 18 years of my pastoral ministry, I've had the unbelievable joy of doing what I love with people I love. So to do what I love (lead people in worshiping God) with one of my daughters - - - it is hard to describe. There is nothing better in ministry.
- People's approval can be addictive. Fight against living for pleasing people (Gal. 1:10). This is a constant battle for those who serve in front of a group of people. Public serving can mess people up.
- Fight pride. Just because you have gifts that others do not have doesn't make you better than them. It just makes you different, and you have to live with the burden of having a gift that gets occasional attention. My wife would never want to stand in front of a group of people, yet she is equally as gifted as those who have "public" gifts.
Subscribe to RSS Feed
It was a great blessing to all in attendance Pastor Dave. Thanks for letting us share in this moment.
Posted by: Rick | January 11, 2010 at 05:10 PM
David, when your family moved to Rochester, Ali was in Michael's kindergarten class. I met her two little sisters the next year at our egg hunt. By then Morgan was a kindergartener with a big smile. When I saw her up there last night with that same big smile, but (almost) all grown up with her beautiful voice, it just brought me to tears. It took me a moment to compose myself and start singing again! I'm so happy your family could share that moment with her and that my family was there to witness it.
Posted by: Jean Baxter | January 11, 2010 at 07:34 PM
I suppose you didn't get it on video??? That would be a blessing - can't believe YOU actually have a teen of your own these days.
Posted by: Jan F | January 11, 2010 at 08:11 PM
Jan,
No, we didn't get it on video... Wish I would have thought of it!
Posted by: David Whiting | January 11, 2010 at 08:11 PM
Thank you for this! I relate to it on so many levels...there is still no joy for me like singing alongside my children when adoring God is central and others are joining in worship. I can imagine what that was like for you!
Posted by: Julie Z | January 11, 2010 at 08:14 PM
Julie -
Yes, I'm sure you do relate to it! What a joy. I hope I get to do it again sometime.
Posted by: David Whiting | January 11, 2010 at 08:15 PM
It thrilled my heart as well!! Thank-you for leading worship and thank-you Morgan for your joyful serving!
Posted by: Debbie C | January 12, 2010 at 07:54 AM