People often ask, “What’s it like being a worship leader at Elevation Church?” Big question. But honestly, of all the things that really stick out in my mind, it’s this: It’s following a calling. I’m no scholar, but from what I see in the Bible, God calls people to Himself. He then leads them to a place so they can live out their calling, pursue God, and use their gifts for His Kingdom.
I came to Elevation Church as an intern in 2010. Early on in my internship, I realized that I’m not qualified enough to be here. Even though I may not have an impressive worship leader resume, I can tell you emphatically that God has prepared every step and paved the road for me to be here. What God has given me is far better than qualifications. It’s a calling.
Qualifications only get you so far. A calling will completely and forever change the direction of your heart. Qualifications are based on where you’ve been. A calling is based on where you’re going. Qualifications depend upon you. A calling depends upon the One calling you. Qualifications are based on your performance. A calling is based on God equipping you to carry it out. Qualifications might get you a job. But a calling will see you through a divinely given task that only you are made to do.
God isn’t impressed with my qualifications. He’s impressed by a consecrated heart. If God picked me because of my resume, that would go against His very nature. That would mean He would need my help to accomplish what He needed to do through me. God didn’t come to earth, live a perfect life, die on cross for my sins, and raise again to ultimately share His authority. He came to take over. He came to take over my life, to use it for His glory and for the good of the Kingdom.
God didn’t use anyone in scripture because they had an impressive resume. Qualifications don’t matter in God’s economy, and I’m not sure about you, but for me, that’s great news.
That’s not to say that God doesn’t use our gifts and talents. He does. He gave them to us. He is the author of life and the giver of gifts. He’s selective in having people use their particular gifts according to what they’ve been given. But, there is a huge difference between me using my gifts on my own and me surrendering my gifts to Him so they could be used to benefit His Kingdom. Gifts become anointed and callings find purpose in the House of God.
Do you feel unqualified? That’s probably right where God wants you. Actually, taking it even further, I think God is looking for those who are so under-qualified that they desperately need a higher power working on their behalf, making their weaknesses strong. It’s almost like God looks to and fro throughout the earth looking for a person so available that He doesn’t have to share His authority and so weak that He doesn’t have to share His power.
Only in the hands of my Savior am I just who I need to be in the place He has me. He didn’t place me here based on my resume. He led me here so I could be a part of this house and use my gifts. And in so doing, follow my calling.
Jane
Well said! You hit the nail right on the head with this. I think if more people and more church leaders would look @ the kingdom this way, there would be a massise revival in the Church.
That’s encouraging Jane. I’ve got big, God-sized goals and dreams and sometimes have an urgency to develop myself enough to achieve them. It’s a good reminder that our pursuit of Him is the ultimate goal and He is sovereign to place us exactly where we need to be. I like to think of it as recklessly pursuing His presence while patiently pursuing my goals. Sometimes I get it way backwards though!
Mind blown… Just what I needed to hear at this season in my life. Thanks for your obedience
Jane,
What an eloquent blog. God has surely placed you in the right place at the right time and we are all the more blessed for His calling on your life. Looking forward to having you back at Matthews soon.
Thank you for this post!
I will try not to be too long winded, but you have been “reading my mail”. I have been a stay at home mom these last 6 years. My husband, James and I have 3 little girls-6,3 and 1-J’leah Faith, Miyah Joy & Aiyanah Grace. Because of my husband’s then work schedule and lack of funds, I only left the house to grocery shop and go to church and take our eldest to dance class(paid for by grandparents). That season left me doubting my gifting and calling. I lost sight of God’s purpose and destiny for my life. I began feeling inadequate and unqualified. That I didn’t have anything to offer anyone. I use to sing all the time-I LOVE music…it’s in my blood. But that season I quit singing. My joy was gone, I was depleted. I could barely have an intelligent conversation with other adults.
We attended Elevation for the first time -Night 11 of Code Orange Revival. We came back for a VIP Meet & Greet in February. We knew then that Elevation was our home. March 11th was our FE-we have been attending faithfully ever since. We would travel back and forth every other weekend 3.5 hours from Rocky Mount to serve.
Pastor Steven’s messages,Guest speakers/worshipers, Elevation Worship, Elevation Staff/Volunteers, eKidz…”Elevators” loving the Dickey Family…have all been used by God to totally heal past hurts and lies of the enemy. Because of simple obedience from others- from you Jane in writing this post…Truth is spoken and lives are being changed for the Glory of God.
It was here-in this season- that I began singing again. You can’t miss me-I am the one who’s trying not to explode, run laps around the church and chest bump my neighbor during worship.
It’s been so neat to introduce music into our home again (especially-Elevation Worship). I love it when my middle daughter: Miyah Joy, begins singing to herself the outro of the song Victorious- “We will overcome, we will overcome, cause You have overcome the world”-she refers to this part as “her favorite!”
I am honored to be among those counted as radically changed by Elevation. We took the most giant leap of faith for a family of 5…we packed up and moved to the Charlotte area…JOBLESS. But we have such peace knowing that we are following God’s calling on our lives. We see our obedience radically changing our children’s lives. I am no longer doubting who I am or who God has called me to be. I choose to see myself as God sees me….
A mom-who thoroughly enjoys to worship (no rocks will cry out when I’m on the scene-lol)..and corrects her children with joy-knowing I’m training them up in the way that they should go, so when they’re old they will never depart from it. (I have a really amazing support system through God, my hubby and Elevation eKidz). I can also hold an intelligent conversation with other adults. I actively seek others out just to love on them with a hug or a kind smile.
I am allowing God to use me in ways that I once thought I was unqualified for. In doing so, I am reaching new depths in my gifts and calling. And I boldly declare,” I am increasing in influence and favor for the Kingdom of God!”
Thank you for this encouraging blog post!
Overflowing Blessings,
Deidre
Fantastic post! It reminds me of one of my favorite verses:
“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”
2 Chronicles 16:9
Yes Jane! And to whom God calls, He will qualify. So, He gets the praise, and the glory. And we get the blessing!
This was exactly what I needed. For the past year, God has been revealing to me the calling He has placed on my life. He’s opened doors for me and provided the way numerous times, but every time I get to the point when I’m about to take that next step, I always doubt and think, “Am I ready to do something like this?” I’m currently working on going to Mexico to work in an orphanage, which is the biggest thing I have ever done. With all of the things I can possibly face, it’s hard to think that I’m ready for such a big task. I’ve been told a lot of similar things like this, one of them being a quote: “God doesn’t call the equipped. He equips the called.” I know that through everything, God will be with me every step of the way and that He wouldn’t have called me to do something like this if He felt that I wasn’t ready. This has definitely reassured me a lot and really confirmed everything in my life at this moment.
Thank you so much for sharing this! May God bless you abundantly!
-Daniel
Wow…This is exactly what I needed to hear! I’ve been a worship leader for a while & at times have felt under-qualified. God doesn’t make mistakes. When He calls you & your willing, he fulfills His calling in us!
Thank you! God Bless you!
-Kent
You have put into words what i have felt so long. I am called- but under qualified … I used to fall into sin- by feeling sorry for my self and my lack of qualifications. But I began to hear God’s gentle voice speaking. You are blessed- blessed!!!! Matthew 5 came alive to me in a new way!! Blessed are the meak- blessed are those in the worlds eyes and standards are the least— I felt like God was saying- Anna I made you weak in earthly musical talent and qualifications so that you would be blessed! You would see and know amazing things that only I could do through you!
How humbling…. to be chosen and blessed!
Thank you so much for your insightful and wise post-
anna
Jane. Thanks for letting us in and sharing a piece of your story. You’ve given us a great reminder! God is able to take a life surrendered to Him and do exceedingly more than one could ever ask or imagine!
God bless you and the rest of the team!
-Len
What an awesome blog. Thanks for sharing such a heart opening topic. This is something I’ve been needing to read for 9 months. My life changed last year when I left my full time job. I thought I was making the right decision going to a new job and it destroyed me (so I thought at the time). I quit that job and then was unemployed. Having a hard time finding a job. I fell in such a deep depression and one day the pastor wife at the church I go to said that my joy was gone. She could see it in my face. Something I tried hiding, something I didn’t want anyone to see how broken I was. Some people knew what was going on but not many and not how deep it was. Hitting rock bottom made me think my qualifications in life. I felt worthless. Over the past few months I’m picking up the pieces and feeling my joy coming back, only by God’s grace. I can’t worry about being qualified, I’ve got a calling!!!! Thank you so much!!! This has sparked a fire in me I had and covered up years ago. Now I’m taking the cover off and I will let it shine. Be blessed. Keep letting God use you. Such a blessing.
Hi Jane! I’m John from Philippines. Thanks for this.
It’s not really about me but God-giving Him what He deserves.
God bless you and your team!