Life Song

A simple reflection from a Shabbach Master's Commission student. 

Nine months ago, I was a nervous wreck, stepping off of an airplane in faith, not really knowing what I was getting myself into, but going where I heard God loud and clear tell me to go. I can do nothing but thank God for everything He has done in such a short time! 

Recently, as I was spending time with the Lord, reflecting on my first year here at Shabbach Master's Commission, I had my guitar in my arms and was just sitting on my front porch steps singing with the birds. I began to think about the fact that if someone would have said to me even a couple of years ago that I would be sitting here right now, I would have told them to go play in traffic, at that time I was a lot more interested in doing what I wanted to do without care of what God wanted for me. That is because a couple of years ago I was attempting to direct my own life. As I was thinking about that, the Lord spoke to me, "You cannot direct something correctly that you did not compose or that you haven't read the music to" 

It hit me hard as I let those words marinate. Music is my heartbeat, when I think of a director and a composer I think of an orchestra. To compose means: "to form by putting together" The composer of the music, takes time, effort, heart, and passion to compose the beautiful music the way he/she intends it to sound. To direct means: "to dominate and determine the course of" Isn't it funny? God has composed the music for our lives, just as He intends it to sound. However, He gives us free will, allowing us to direct whether we hit all of the right notes or not. God has given us an entire book of music to read. That is, what HE has written.

Psalm 37:23 says that "A person's steps are made secure by the LORD when they delight in his way." The music is already written for your life, the greatest composer has already finished it. The question is, are YOU taking time to read the music, and making your life a sweet symphony to God's ears? Or are you taking advantage of the fact that you are the director, and hitting all flat notes? I would strongly encourage you to make time to read your song. Ask the composer what you can do to help the song of your life sound beautiful. James 1:22-24 "But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was." Don't just hear the music, play it, sing it, live it. 

Proverbs 14:15 "The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps." 

If it is not in the music, don't play it, sing it, or live it!

Just Me,

Tami Shroll

Humility at the Derby

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May 6th 2013

Humility at the Derby

ShabbachMC, along with Pastor Michael Goins and Patrick Goins, spent our time working the Kentucky Derby this week.  We would start our mornings at 5:00AM bright and early so that we could arrive at Churchill Downs by 5:30AM.  It was after the first morning that I realized that this week was going to be a character building week for me.  Most of my day consisted of carrying food and drinks up and down "The Beast" for other workers and clients.  Now before I go any further I should probably describe what "The Beast" is.  The Beast was a huge structure with six flights of stairs on it.  In the structure were different rooms where clients could eat and hang out on different floors.  While this was no easy task on its on, the heat and… sometimes uncooperative clients made for a long 12 to 16 hour day of work. 

By the third morning of RISE AND SHINE my bad attitude had already been set.  While on break that day however another group, also working the derby, helped change my outlook on the situation.  I noticed that even though they were just as tired and sore as I was none of them were complaining.   Their leader then explained that by starting a day negative it can make the rest of our day just as negative.  After being around this group for a day I noticed myself trying to complain less and focus my attention on the good.  Their positive outlook and willingness to serve was encouraging and contagious.

One of the last days of the Derby we had to be at work before sunrise.  I found myself at the top of The Beast looking down on the track while the sun came up.  Down on the track a few of the trainers had their horses out warming up for the days events.  While looking out at them I realized why God makes beautiful moments like the one I was experiencing.  I believe that God gives us moments like that so that we have to stop the hustle of our day and just admire His work.  Starting out my day with that picture made me want to make the rest of my day positive. How much better would our days be if we just took time in the morning to notice God?  Even though it wasn't always easy, for the rest of our duration I did my best to focus on how I could make the clients time more enjoyable than my own.  Being at the Kentucky Derby wasn't about what I could get as much as it was about clients seeing how real Children of God work and serve.  What beauty is God trying to paint for you this week?  Maybe starting your day with Him will give you just the right start to bring clarity into the rest of your day. Don't let The Beast distract you from the real picture! 

Have a blessed week,

Keyona

The Beast

The Real Picture