When Change Is a Good Thing

I seriously hate letting people down. Because of my tendency towards people-pleasing, disappointing others is one of the worst things I can do. But that’s exactly what happened yesterday.

I was scheduled to be part of the worship team at our former worship leader’s new church. He had been asking me for weeks (well, actually, months) to come serve alongside him but the timing was never right because I felt I needed to be at my own church as they brought in potential worship leaders for our campus. But our schedules worked out in such a way that I was going to be able to attend his church yesterday and I was super excited about it.

Then I woke up with no voice.

You can’t really sing without a voice.

It literally hurt my heart to have to send him a text canceling on him for the second time. He was gracious about it but I felt terrible.

I was looking forward to singing with him. But not only that – I was excited about watching him lead his new congregation, leaning into this new calling.

I love when I notice people serving in their gifting. One of the best things to encounter is a person who has stepped into the role God ordained for them, and I knew I was going to see this in action with my friend.

Admittedly, this has been a difficult transition for me. (You can read about it here if you haven’t already. For most of you, you’re probably sick of me talking about it. Ha!)

Throughout this transition, I’ve questioned God, asking what He has in store for our church. I’ve even questioned my friend’s departure, wondering if it was truly the right thing for him to do.

But I know it definitely was.

A few weeks ago, I observed up close as he ministered to his new congregation. At his own mother’s funeral. I listened, I paid attention, as they loved on him and followed his leadership. I watched as he stepped into new roles, things he’s never done before, and flourished in them. I witnessed him leading people to the throne of Jesus, even in the midst of his own pain.

So often, changes occur and we balk at them. We get mad and stomp our feet and pout and whine. (Oh wait, maybe that’s just me?)

But then we step back and remove ourselves from the equation, taking our selfish desires out of the mix, and we see Jesus doing a new thing.

It’s beautiful and glorious.

I don’t know what you may be going through in your own life, what changes are rocking your world right now. But I do know that the Lord has you in the palm of His hand. He has a good plan for your life. Sometimes we just need to take a step back and view it from afar.

This transitional period for our church still isn’t resolved. Even as I write this, we don’t have a permanent worship leader. But today I am reminded that I can trust the Lord because I’ve seen what can happen when you step out in faith and do something scary and unexpected.

And my encouragement for you (and for myself)  today is this:

When you hear a Word from the Lord, follow where He leads. It’s ALWAYS better. Always.

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deut 31:8 (NIV)