Okay so to tell you this story, I'm going to have to take you to Truett-McConnell College, summer of 2011, at North Georgia School of Gospel Music.
We were in the middle of group singing that night and it was Stephen Butler's turn to direct. He told us to turn to page 16. "Willing," a song that he and his wife had written. It is a beautiful song. He started telling us the story behind the song, which brought me to tears (happy tears of course). I will NEVER forget that story.
I was sitting in the front row, as usual, and Stephen started to tell his tale. "Guys, this isn't a song you can JUST sing. You have to BELIEVE it and make it your PRAYER. It took me a long time to write this song. You know why? It was because I had to be in that place. The place where this song was MY prayer. You can't write a song like this, WITHOUT being willing to go where God leads."
Stephen's story (although those may not have been his exact words) has stuck with me all year. I've tried to be more willing, I really have. I have been trying to follow God, but it always seemed that my flesh got in the way. Until.... today.
You see, I found out this year that Stephen was right in more ways than one that night when he told the story. My sister and I have tried all year to sing Stephen and Stacie's song. It just NEVER came together. Then May rolled around, and it was time to pick a song to sing as a solo for my senior concert. I have 2 cousins and a sister in chorus, so I asked Mrs. Covington if we could sing a song together and she graciously granted my request. I had originally chose "I Choose The Lord" by The Inspirations to sing, but it just never came together. Different obstacles had appeared throughout our time trying to get it performance ready. Then I felt like God was showing me that "Willing" was the song I needed to sing. So Kelsey and I got to practicing, and again, it just wouldn't come together. She was getting frustrated because she couldn't stay on her part, and I was getting frustrated because she was getting frustrated at me. It just WASN'T working.
But then, this morning in Sunday School, Luke talked about having faith. And guess who had the be the example? ME. Ha! But God couldn't have worked it out better, because it got me to thinking about college and all my plans in my life. It made me start to wonder if it was God placing those plans in my life, or if I was the one doing MY will.
I prayed about that all service. That was all that was on my mind (sorry, Pastor Chris for not listening as closely as I should've)! Then at 4:00, my aunt Leslie helped Kelsey and I with Willing, and it all just seemed to start falling in place. I had never been so happy! Then when it came time for service, I was feeling uncertain about the song, along with my "life plans." And I literally prayed, "God please let Pastor Randy preach on something that will help me. Please Lord, I have NEVER wanted a preacher to preach to ME as badly as I do now!" And you know what? God heard me and answered my prayer (Psalm 40:1). Preacher Randy got in that pulpit and preached a sermon titled, "Nevertheless at Thy Word" (scripture was Luke 5:1-7). Man, did I need that sermon. He talked about the different ways that God speaks to us. The last point was: "He speaks to us through the saints." And I knew that this point was true, because God was using Pastor Randy right then. When alter call came, I went down to the alter and prayed. I usually don't share my prayers, but I will this time. I prayed, "God, I know I mess up, but I just wanted to tell You thank You for all You have done. And I want You to know that I want Stephen and Stacie's song to be my prayer. I want to be willing! Make me willing to be what You'd have my to be. I will do what You say, I will trust and obey! Not for MY own reward, but for YOUR Glory, LORD! Make me willing to serve you faithfully! Lord, please let me know that these plans I have be of You, if not, lead me away from them. I love You. amen."
I meant every word of that prayer, and when Kelsey and I got in the car and started practicing Willing again. I can honestly say that it never sounded better. I am excited to hear how it will sound when we share the gospel in song at my senior concert!
Lord, we are willing for You to use us through this song! And I pray that You make this the prayer of my family and all of my friends. I will go where You send, and I will heed to Your call. I'm done playing games. Amen.
Willing:
"Whom shall I send," asked the Master one day, to a world that is dying, lost in sin's way; who will go tell them of Calvary's cross? who will reach them no matter the cost?
Chorus (1): Make me willing to be, what You'd have me to be, Help me do what You say, help me trust and obey, not for MY own reward, but for YOUR Glory, Lord, make me willing to serve You faithfully.
Lord, hear am I, hear my prayer as I bow, a heart that is willing, I give You now; Help me to be what You'd have me to be, I am Your servant, I'll go, Lord, send me!
Chorus (2): I am willing to be, what You'd have me to be, I will do what You say, I will trust and obey, not for my own reward, but for Your Glory, Lord, I am willing to serve You faithfully!
I will serve You, I will serve You, You are my all in all, I will serve You! YES I will serve You, i will obey Your call!
Repeat Chorus (2).
