Life Lessons: YOUR PLAN OR YOUR PURPOSE?

Hey family,

So as I write this at 4:04am on the 5th, I am reflecting on the great event that took place days earlier: Awaken. This event took was a gospel event with the theme of breaking chains, including musical performances, spoken word and the gospel being preached. Guest performers included the likes of Rachel Kerr, Faith Child and Earl Blackman to name a few.

THE BACKGROUND:

Anyway, on to the important stuff- last December I was asked to be a part of the Awaken band, playing bass.

Very few people knew I played bass, because quite frankly, I don't. As in, I really don't.

I started playing 2 years ago when an old friend at church (shout out all the Jubilites) lent me his to learn on. I played here and there at church [at this point while writing, I start laughing at the memory of my dad standing up in the middle of church filming the wholeeee worship set on the first sunday I played in the main screen. His flash was on. In the middle of church. For 20 minutes. Pls.]

After stretchinggg the borrowing period, I finally returned the bass to the owner in spring of 2017.

So, it had been 9 months since I'd touched a bas at the time I was being asked to play.

Knowing FULL well I'd have to buy myself a bass to take part, I did.

However.

When January 2018 came and rehearsals started, I started thinking of taking part in the show in another way- singing. Now, in contrast to playing bass, many people knew I sang. I 've done so for a while both in church settings and non-religious ones. When March 2nd came, I found myself almost wishing I had a microphone stand in front of me so I could sing (loudly) while playing the bass (yes, extra, I know). When the show started, I played and praised and forgot about any such desire.. but once I finally got home (this snow was really trying to stop the bus I was on from moving) I started reflecting.

THE LESSON:

Here is what I realised:

-I wanted to sing that day because it's something I'm comfortable with. I'm still trying to figure out whether any part of it was a desire for attention of some sort.

-There were a LOT of vocal performances at the show- from the gospel choir to the many solo acts, many (incredible) voices were heard.

-I ended up not singing and only playng bass.

-The second bassist who was supposed to play some other sections had called the morning of the event saying he was unable to leave Milton Keynes because of the snow. Therefore, I was on bass for 90% of the show.

- I wanted to do something I was comfortable with just for the sake of it (which really means for my own glory, not

God's). God stopped me from doing that, and put me in a place I was less familiar with.

-I need you guys to deep it with me:

God moved me from a place I desired to a place in which I was required.

I was literally the only person who could have played the bass for the show that day . The other people who can play were already set to be on other instruments the whole night.

If I had sang, I would have been adding to something which was already present. (I am in no way discrediting the performances of other singers, but especially for the fact that it my desire to sing wasn't 100% God-motivated would have meant I was unnecessarily adding to a filled position).

THE MEANING:

1) This relates to the teachings of the Body of Christ: there is a head, and arms, there are feet. None are greater than the other. As much as the head seems to hold much significance, it cannot function without the heart, and the legs cannot function without the spine. If one part of the body stopped functioning, the body as a whole would stop functioning efficiently. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of smell be? [1 Corinthians 12:17] Every part of the body of Christ is necessary in fulfilling the work of the Kingdom which is our ultimate goal. It is really not about us and our desires and what we feel comfortable with and how much we want people to notice us and compliment us and blah blah blah it is about God being glorified. The scripture in 1 Corinthians 12 says that all gifts were given by the same spirit. It goes on to say that there are different types of working, but in all of them, it is the same God at work. How can one talent be deemed better than someone else’s when it is the same God working through us all?

2) Secondly, Isaiah 55:8 explains that [His] thoughts are not our thought and His ways are not our ways. God is the Alpha, Omega and everything in between. Billions of people have lived before you and many more will live after you. God has been there the whole time. He has seen their lives beginning to end. He knows how this game goes more than we ever will. So trust God and understand this His way are higher than ours. Question your desires and decisions and submit them to prayer for God’s guidance.

3) Lastly, God used me in a space I was less comfortable in.This is not uncommon for God to do- think of the way God used Moses who had a speech impediment to lead the people. God will gladly use what you call a weakness to fulfil His purpose through you. This whole scenario could have been the other way round where there was no singer and I had to fill in- but that situation wouldn’t have glorified God as much. The other bassist could have made it and played his set instead of me learning it last minute- but this situation would not have glorified God as much. Jesus could have easily arrived to the place Lazarus lay sick before he died to heal him, instead of resurrecting him our days after his death- [insert space for you to finish the sentence].

Furthermore, when Jesus was first informed of Lazarus being sick (John 11), his response was; (4) ”This illness will not lead to death. It is for the glory of God so that the Son of God may be glorified through it”. Whatever undesirable position you are facing will not ruin you- it is ultimately for the glory of God. It’s definitely a process, but this is teaching me more and more to surrender to the will of God.

Anyway it’s 5:13am so that’s all from me. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Love n light n stuff,

Bolu Noelle

PS. I've linked a similar message in recent posts if you'd like to read!