Happy January all…
It’s been a while since I sent out a word of encouragement… but God has been speaking to me recently and I wanted to include some of what He has been revealing to me.
A good friend of mine, Sean Smith, posted a question on a message board that I frequent to stir up some conversation. At first I was a little intimidated to answer the question because I wasn’t sure I could, but as I proceeded I realized how it helped me identify a few things about myself. Once I dug in and honestly identified these things, I realized that my answer could be applied to any vocation, not just music.
The question was as follows:
Having spent a lot of time in the corporate world, we talked a lot about “Best Practices” and how they related to our success out in the field. We would often evaluate and re-evaluate them based on current trends, technology, what worked/what didn’t, etc.
Have you thought about what your Best Practices are? If you had to list them what would they be? What are those SMALL things that can make or break you?
******
In no particular order of priority my 7 are as follows, this is specific to my music ministry, but take this idea and use it as it relates to your specific God given calling:
Read it like this…
If I didn’t have __________ as part of my daily approach to my music ministry then my calling would not be progressing.
1 - Passion.
I love to help people find God in their current circumstances through conversation… I also love music… Im passionate about both and to combine them is an example of God giving me the desires of my heart. I love my Lord so much and want to serve Him above all else…this passion also includes loving to be in His presence through prayer and daily communion with Him.
2 - Community
Being part of a network of like minded people as a contributor AND a recipient of encouragement, nuts and bolts info, and prayer has been an invaluable tool for my ministry. My focus lately has been on surrounding myself with Godly men for purposes of accountability. Community is accomplished through my church, through places like Indieheaven, through long time friends, and through people I meet along the way.
3 - Investment
I have invested a lot of time, money, and energy into meeting people, moving to Nashville, writing songs, finding someone willing to invest in a project, paying them back, driving to gigs, praying, seeking God’s direction, etc…, etc… All of this was and is extremely inconvenient at times, but much of it has paid off in one way or another.
4 - Testimony
My first hand life-experience with brokenness and restoration through Christ is a vital part of being able to relate to others in a way that provides hope. It is my story. Knowing this story well and sharing it creates common ground with the souls that God puts in my path. This common ground gives my mission credibility that opens the door for some level of relationship with the audience which in turn opens the door for #1, my passion to help people find God in their current circumstances (see above).
5 - Forgiveness
In this case Im referring to forgiveness for self. This is very important to continuing the mission God has called me to. Jesus said in Matthew 6:15 “But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” I believe very strongly that this includes forgiving one’s self. If I cannot forgive myself for falling, then essentially I am not believing that God can forgive me. I have had my struggles in life, I have made mistakes, some strongholds still try to tempt me from time to time. This is important in my daily approach to ministry because there have been times when I could have just said “you are right Satan, im a hypocrite and a failure…who am I to try to get this right and encourage people to seek the God of the universe with a pathetic little song…”. Instead I must listen to that other voice that says “you cant do this in your own strength anyway…get up…put your trust in me, my grace is sufficient” the voice of grace has encouraged me to not wallow in my failure when I fall, but instead to get on my face, confess my sins, forgive myself, and try again in Christ. Not doing this daily can stifle a calling. Don’t argue with the grace of God, accept it, then go and sin no more.
The more I accept that and continue to surrender my life to Christ at deeper levels…the more victorious my walk and the less I have to battle with the “level one” failures.
6 - Practice
To whom much is given, much is required. God has given me a talent that is unique to His purpose for my life…as he has done the same for all of us. To be the recipient of that gift is a wonderful blessing AND responsibility. Nurturing that talent by practicing my instrument and singing is a huge part of getting better to more expertly answer that call.
7 - Patience
Im 35 years old… I have been singing and playing since I was 10. There have been victories along the way, but there has also been a lot of waiting… One of the main ingredients to having an effective ministry is being able to wait on God. It is not easy, but it is very important, especially since God’s timing is perfect (and mine has proven over and over again not to be).
Keep praying,
Brad
Thanks Sean for asking this question…
Feel free to visit Sean’s ministry here.
Also - Check out the new updates including radio adds and a big announcement regarding my song “Anyway” and Indelible Creative Group/Indieheave.com WORD Distribution by clicking here.
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