Multicolored Neon lights flashed before my eyes while muffled voices sang and rhythmic music from guitars, keyboards and drums blended with the sounds of cars and people laughing and talking. The sights and sounds all around me were enough to send me into sensory overload. But, as I looked through the open window, my eyes caught a glimpse of a woman singing her heart out to a room full of people enjoying the music and company of friends.
Later that evening, as I walked through a quiet hotel lobby the sound of a lone guitar and female voice caught my attention. Unlike the excitement and revelry of the other atmosphere this woman found herself singing to an audience of 5. While it would be easy to say this woman was not succeeding in fulfilling her dream and calling, I beg to differ. Just like the woman I heard through the window, this woman sang her heart out to anyone who would listen. Despite the small audience she still showed up and gave her best performance.
I don’t know either of these women and never had the chance to see either of there faces but my heart understands who they are. My heart understands the dreams they are pursuing and the struggle of the size of their audience. And my guess is, that in some way you too might understand who they are, the dreams they are pursuing and the struggle of the size of their audience.
We each have been given a dream and calling.
You see, God placed within each one of us a dream and a calling. Just as each of us are made unique in His image, He has given each of us a unique dream and calling. For me, God has called me to love and minister to those within my pasture. Over the years my pasture has looked differently as He’s moved me from Critical Care Nursing to years of being a stay at home mom and now Women’s Ministry.
What about you? What dream or calling has God placed on your life? Has He called you to the corporate world of law or finance? Do you fill your day teaching in the public, private or homeschool classroom? Are you a writer, musician or artist who digs deep within yourself to share with others the creative gift you’ve been given?
Who is your audience?
In the corporate world your audience might be a board room of 5 people or a court room of 50. As a teacher you may spend your day teaching in a public school of 30 students per period, a private school of 25 in your class all day or homeschooling your 3 children. The writer’s, musician’s or artist’s audience could number from 5 to thousands.
It’s easy to become caught up in the excitement of neon lights and big numbers. But, just as someone who gives her all to a large crowd, the one who finds herself in a smaller more intimate setting needs to give just as much effort. Not only do we need to recognize the importance of sharing our dream or gift with whoever God places in our pasture but we also need to recognize WHO is our ultimate audience.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23,24
Staying focused on the audience of ONE.
Friend, my question for you is, “Are you focused on your audience of ONE? Is your heart and mind focused on living out the dream and calling God placed on your life to the glory of God alone?”
Just as I found myself watching two women in very different settings sing to the best of their abilities despite the size of their audience, I must serve God to the best of my ability no matter the size of my audience.
This week I want to challenge you not to focus on the size of your audience but focus on serving God to the best of your ability within the pasture he has called you. Take your eyes off the neon lights and big numbers and tend to the few he has placed right before you.
- Take time to listen to the coworker who’s going through a difficult season.
- Give an extra bit of encouragement to the student who’s struggling to keep up.
- Spend time writing, singing or painting for your’s and God’s eyes only.
Whatever you do (this week), work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23,24 (emphasis mine)
In His Calm,
I would love to hear how you are focusing on serving God in your pasture. Click on the “Contact” tab above and send me a message. I promise I read each message. Stop by Facebook or Instagram where we will be talking more on this topic over the next couple of weeks. Do you receive our monthly Sitting in His Presence Newsletter? If not you can sign up at the top of this page.
