The tradition in our church, is the postlude in the third service on Easter morning is the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. During the final hymn, members of the congregation stream into the choir loft to sing with the chancel choir in celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. It is a powerful, moving moment and the perfect way to end the worship service. This year, because the congregation could not come to the church, I knew it would be different.
Knowing that the congregation looks forward to the Hallelujah Chorus and only having the small worship team in the sanctuary, I humbly offered to sing it for the online service. Their response was not what I expected.
Grace started spraying mace. Pastor Kit broke out his judo moves. Carl threatened to set fire to the organ. Sean made an emergency call to Adult Protective Services. Chris started throwing hymnals from the sound booth in the balcony. Emily started hitting the cameras with a hammer. Sam pulled out wire cutters to cut the strings on the piano. Adam screamed something about my voice driving people away from Christ instead of bringing them closer. And to top it all off, Craig, who has always been supportive, turned in his resignation letter and keys. They kind of hurt my feelings.
After having the night to think about how the worship team responded to my modest offer to sing for the church, I have come to the conclusion that singing might not be my gift. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have one. My job is to figure out what it is and how God wants me to use it. It’s the same for you.
You are more than an act of biology, physical intimacy, or chance. God designed you with a purpose in mind. You have been created for a reason. It’s up to you to figure out your gift and then use it to bring glory to the One who saved you.
Paul explained it this way: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Find your gift and become the person God created you to be.
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, I humbly offer myself to you with hesitation or reservation. Use my meager gifts for your purpose. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Spend some time figuring out your reason for being. We all have one.
Also, now that I think about it, what I said earlier about how our worship team responded to my generous offer may not have been completely accurate. Pastor Kit wasn’t using judo, it was karate.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 