For Such a Time As This

         This song has a special place in my heart. It has been used in both “King’s Theatre” presentations of “Esther-Ordinary Faith,” the first production Anna directed back in 2005, along with the more recent performance last summer. (In fact, the picture at the top of this blog is from last summer's version of "Esther.") In the musical, Esther dances to or sings the song as she contemplates the task ahead of her… the task that only she can complete. Over the last 7 years since the first “Esther-Ordinary Faith” production, that song has challenged me every time I take a moment to think about it.

“Now, all I have is now

To be faithful, to be holy

And to shine, lighting up the darkness

Right now I really have no choice

But to voice the truth to the nations

a generation looking for God!

For such a time as this/ I was placed upon the earth

To hear the voice of God/ and do His will, whatever it is.

For such a time as this/ for now and all the days He gives

I am here! I am here! And I am his/ For such a time as this

 

Can’t change what’s happened till now

But we can change what will be

By living holiness

So that the world may see Jesus!”

         Right now, God has placed me in the position to help administrate some of "The King's Praise Ballet" as Anna "moves on". Along with about 6 other girls, I face the task of replacing my amazing teacher and director. We have many varied interests and goals for our lives, from missions to film-making to music to college...but right now, God has put us here. Right now, our duty is to be the best teachers, choreographers, seamstresses, administrators,  and washers of mirrors that we can be. It's been amazing to see how for each task, there was someone perfectly suited for and trained in that area. (Aside from the mirror washing. That just sort of happens as it happens.)

        We're all still in high school. We all still have things to learn. For me, humility, gentleness, and time management are areas that need work. But as we go about our tasks, as we face challenges in teaching 4 year olds, or struggle to keep our priorities straight so we have time to choreograph, God teaches us to depend on Him for our strength, to please Him in the smallest, most tedious, or uninteresting detail.

      For such a time as this, He has placed me here. He has given me responsibilities and duties and opportunities to glorify Him. I often forget that. I often forget that the everyday things, even sweeping the kitchen floor and solving physics problems so I can get on to "more important things", are important. God's will for me is to do everything as if I were doing it for Him. That doesn't just go for the final ballet performances, or playing music durng my church service. That means everything, every moment, right now.

    Jesus said, "As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent Me. Night is coming when no one can work." (John 9:4)

    I have a limited number of days. I don't know when my time is up. "Now...all I have is now." I know what my job is. I know what I need to do, right now. My choice is either to do it, and do it for God, or to miss the opportunities He's given me.

    Where has He placed you? Are you His? Are you ready and willing to do His will, whatever it is? He has placed you exactly where you are with the gifts and abilities you have, for such a time as this.

In Him I Am

Alone I am nothing but a lump of clay;
In Christ I am fashioned, molded day by day.

On my own, I'm finite, not enough for a task;
In Him I have strength - never will I lack.

Apart from Him I worry, get tired and overwhelmed.
In Him I rest secure, by His love compelled.

My motive for working is based in His work done.
It's not my skill or merit - apart from Him, there's none.

So I can live and do, and yet in Him just be.
And when others see what's done, I pray they see Christ, not me.

To Him belongs the power, priority and praise.
So I rest and leave the "how's" to Him, as in prayer I raise...

"Grant time, grant peace, give guidance, strength and much wisdom.
Be Lord of all the details; Holy Spirit, come.

Have Your way in me, in this, in all that is ahead.
I trust You to continue, as You've always faithful led."


Praying through details about dance classes and workshops, and how to transition to other teachers & leaders (as I'll be getting married in January and moving away!), I was starting to feel overwhelmed again last night... But God reminded me that I need to keep trusting Him; He's in control. He WILL faithfully lead as I take one step at a time.

We serve an Awesome God!

She Failed Art

Mrs. Susie has long been an inspiration to me. She exemplifies Godly womanhood and trust in God even through the hard times. When I was ten, she was my beloved Sunday School teacher; now, two of her granddaughters take dance from me. Her life continues to bless others as she encourages and serves many, often without recognition.

She also has a gift for artistry, and many people have been blessed with the beauty she brings. Over the years, church sanctuaries, special events, homes, and weddings have been transformed by her touch. She allows God to work through her, and brings glory to Him with the results.

With all of her skill, she must have had extensive training in the arts, right? While she worked on turning a theatre set into ancient Israel, we asked her: “Mrs. Susie, did you take art growing up?” She acknowledged that she had taken one art course in college, and with a half-smile, remarked that she had failed it. The teacher refused to pass her because, though her art was good, the teacher said she worked too slow.

It took a minute for me to comprehend it all. Here she was, making brown paper look like the Judean countryside with a little bit of chalk, being asked to do so only the night before, and only having 3 hours to finish – and she failed art class for working too slow?

That class was the end of her formal artistic training, but she didn’t let it stop her from using her gifts. Even now, many years later, she continues to use her talents on an ongoing basis. I wonder how many of her classmates – those that passed the course with straight As – still use their training to do art. God truly works in unique ways.

What if she had given up? What if she had believed that she really was too slow, and didn’t have what it took to be an artist? There would be a lot less beauty in this community, among her family, and among her church. Her daughter probably wouldn’t have become the artist she is now, which she learned to be through helping her mother. My sister’s wedding locations wouldn’t have been decorated so beautifully, and the set of “Beyond Bethlehem” would still be lacking something.

Yet, Mrs. Susie didn’t give up. She persevered and trusted God to use her gifts as He saw fit. She may not have trained in a world-class arts school, but she has learned to see things through His eyes. And as she allows His creativity to work through her, she has touched the world in ways she may never know.

What about you? Is there something God has called you to do, but that seems too hard, and you feel like giving up? Have others told you that your work isn’t good enough, that you don’t have what it takes? Take encouragement from Mrs. Susie, and don’t lose heart. If God has called you to do something, He will give you the strength and ability to bring it about.