Curtis Baptist Church has a TV ministry. After a multi-year hiatus I returned to work the sound board for the broadcast in August of 2016. The sound board was an entirely different setup than the one on which I had learned those many years ago. I watched. I took notes on my phone and largely learned it. They guys who had taught me had offered to let me run it with their oversight two or three times, but I declined. It was more comfortable to let them do it, and I was a little nervous to be watched. On Saturday, September 8th, 2016 I learned in the following email from one of our pastors that the time had come for me to run the show.
Lane, have you run sound on your own yet? [“Uh-oh” went my mind] I hope you are getting comfortable enough to do that while there is someone in there with you. I am going to be needing to move Don1 to run house sound on some Sundays so having you in the TV side makes me feel more comfortable. Feel free to ask any questions of me or the other operators at any time.
I knew I would need to run it, but well I was nervous to be watched. I replied:
Tom2, Don3 and Tony4 have shown me pretty much what I need to know. Tony has twice tried to have me run it, but I have continued to watch. I can run this Sunday with Don there. I understand the board and stuff now, it should not be a problem.
That must have pleased Tom and he sent this final message.
Great.You gotta get your hands on it to really feel confident. 🙂At first the consoles are intimidating but they are so flexible, and so much is at your fingertips.Tom
The time had come for me to take the controls. I was ready, but I was nervous. I was holding back. Tom, took the reigns and said, “Go!” I did and all went fine. Nothing like humps in the road that we have to go over the top of. Worried we may be but work out it does5.
The disciples go out
7 And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— 9 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. 10 And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. 11 And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” 12 So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. (Mark 6:7-11–ESV)
God orchestrates all things
When Jesus knew the time had come he called the twelve together and set their course and set their skills. He selected the partners. He empowered them over spiritual forces: the demonic. He empowered them over physical maladies: the illnesses. He had taught them the message as he preached and as he explained the parables. He gave them instructions on how to proceed.
The disciples were not aware of the direction their lives would take. When they signed up to follow this man from Nazareth they did not have a blueprint for their life in front of them. That came later. It came at the direction and in the timing of Jesus.
Don’t worry about the exact shape of your life
God will take care of the things and the steps and the pieces of your life. He has created all things and has called us from darkness to light. He is not going to let us mill around in his light without some notion for you.
Don’t worry about what the notion will be. Have faith that it will be good. God’s doings are permanent. God’s weaving makes great baskets. We are often unaware that a basket is being woven, but God is not.
They went and..[wait for it]..IT WORKED!
Running the sound board worked for me. I had learned what I needed. I got what I needed (a push from the pastor). The event was a success and confidence is mine for the next step.
Running the evangelistic tour worked for the disciples. They had learned what they needed. They got what they needed (a push from the Christ). The event was a success. They gained confidence for their next steps.
Steps made in obedience never falter
As God’s shape for your life materializes before you do not fear it. Step out in confidence that provision has been made. Clarity of what is to be done may be given to you, but clarity of how it is to be done may be left in the dark. Alternatively, there may be no clarity of what is to be done. In that case make godly choices and just live. You will see what happens, learn what is being done, what is to be done, and God will be glorified. You will be fulfilled and the blessedness of living in faith and dependence will make grow a tiny bit more.
The disciples went and it worked. You can go and you will find that it works. The when and how of going is God’s doing, and the “Yes sir” is your doing.
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