Patience and Persistence

A posting entitled "Patience and Persistence" warrants something long and in-depth. Since I don't expect this to be long by my standards, maybe the I'll post something in the future called "Patience and Persistence #2," "Part deux," "B," or "Persistence and Patience."

Last week, I went to the Sonshine Festival in Willmar, MN. This is what I would consider to be my "home" festival, since it is only a 3 hour drive from Fargo, and this year marked my 8th or 9th Sonshine in the past 11 years.

As usual, God had much to speak to my heart. He also provided some of the most amazing conversations I have ever had at a festival, many of which touched on giving generously, using my music to His Glory, and transition. I met new people and seemingly randomly ran into some old friends too. Even the rains and mass amounts of mud provided opportunity to escape to Caribou Coffee for some website work and reconnecting with a good friend.

Things I learned or was reminded of:
- When God says, "Go," go, and He will lovingly take care of your needs and provide opportunity to connect, serve, and grow.
- Remaining humble is key in so much. Any work, done well unto the Lord, is a ministry to glorify God. Music ministry is like being a tour guide to draw the heart into worship and prepare it to receive teaching. If you are not an active worshipper focused on God, you will not be able to lead people through worship effectively. It is not about YOU.
- As a young person pursuing full-time music ministry, it is important that a precedence be set, for what I decide to be today will likely follow me throughout my career. If I place emphasis on connecting with people (while carefully maintaining a level of privacy), doors can open in connecting people with the music and the One we're all singing about. It would be a shame to lose that connection and risk "exclusivity" in the name of privacy. Better to be wise in the beginning, no matter how and where God chooses to use my abilities.
- My abilities and gifts are enough to be used by God. Are there better musicians out there? Sure. Do others have more experience? Yep. Do some people have better equipment, looks, connections, support, creativity, and less in student loans to pay over the next few years? Absolutely. It does not mean, however, that I am useless. Any properly invested and stewarded gift can bear fruit. If I label my gifts "not good enough" I am likely to bury them in the sand like the servant did with the one talent in Matthew 25 (v.25). No fear!

Back to the title...
Patience.
As a musician, nothing comes immediately. I see it in my students. So many want to rush through a piece and call it good, when they are neglecting the technique that makes everything better in the long run. You have to trust that the slow route is often the best, even if you can't see the results right away.
Also, I need to have confidence in God's provision for a place to live (haven't heard back from my one really good lead in a week now...), a job, and opportunities to play. Sometimes, one just has to wait after sending out the call, at least for a little bit. It's hard on my pride not knowing so many things. It feels as though I should be able to completely answer everyone's questions with an extremely well-thought-out plan, but I can't right now.

Persistence.
This is no easy road, especially since few walk it with me. As a person who likes to follow a pattern, this is new to me. I just have to lean on my God. As I was watching Hell's Kitchen with my roommate last night, I said to her, "If I KNEW I was going to be on this show and have to cook for Gordan Ramsay, I would spend every waking minute cooking like crazy to hone my skills before I went." Ha. Talk about conviction. I know my move is coming, but am I acting with urgency? Am I taking God at His word and responding accordingly, preparing to do good works that He has ordained in advance for me? (Ephesians 2)