But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but one who does good works — this person will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:25 HCSB)

I’ve always been a quiet Person. In high school, I never talked to anyone. Yet, I didn’t really think of myself as shy. I played in the band. I tried out and made honor band. I sang in the youth choir. I even sang solos during morning church services. I was always nervous of course, that’s normal, but it led me to believe I wasn’t shy. I was just quiet and introverted.

When I went off to college, I stopped singing solos but still found a church where I could sing in the adult choir. It was fun. The alto section seemed to like it when I sat by them. So, when I moved back home and rejoined the church I grew up in, it was a natural thing to continue singing in the adult choir. I even started helping with children’s choir when my kids were old enough to go. As time moved on, I discovered I preferred to work behind the scene. I was uncomfortable being in the spotlight. So, maybe I am shy after all.

Not long ago, I was approached by my music minister to sing in the praise team. I really had to think hard about this. It would mean being in front of several hundred people every Sunday morning. I wasn’t sure I really wanted to be there. After some refection, I decided to try it out. Who’s to say it wasn’t where God wanted me?

Just as Mordecai told Esther, his niece, in Esther 4:14, “Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.”

Esther was a peasant Israelite girl who found herself in the favor of the powerful King of Persia and Media. After they were married, her people were facing annihilation. Mordecai wanted her to approach the king and ask that her people not be destroyed.

Esther was afraid to talk to her husband. You were not supposed to approach the king unless you were summoned, even if he was your husband or you would be put to death. Only if the king extended his scepter out toward you would you be saved. Mordecai told her not to think she was safe just because she was in the king’s palace.

Esther told Mordecai to gather the Jews, pray, and fast. She and her maidservants would do the same. In Esther 4:16 she said, “After that, I will go to the king even if it is against the law. If I perish, I perish.” She was willing to step out of a safe, comfortable position. Even to die in order to do what God wanted her to do.

Facing several hundred people every Sunday morning seems less significant than what Esther went through. As I sing in front of everyone, I pray thoughts like, don’t let me choke or Lord, my voice can’t go that high. Mostly, I pray that he will help me, be with me, and be given all the glory. You see, I realize I’m not there for the people in the congregation. I’m there for Him. To glorify Him. To praise him with everything I am. When that becomes my perspective, I don’t think about the hundreds of people watching me. What God wants me to do is to praise him, even if it brings me out of my comfort zone. Because, when we are out of our comfort zone, we are blessed through obedience.

Lord, I want to be obedient to the things You want me to do. Help me to be aware of those things. Give me a continuous willingness to do Your will. Use me to further Your kingdom. I praise You for Your love and patience. Continue to work in my life to Your glory.

When we are out of our comfort zone, we are blessed through obedience. Tweet This.

Facing several hundred people every Sunday morning seems less significant than what Esther went through. Tweet This.