COMPARISON CAN CRIPPLE (PART 2) USE THE TOOLS IN YOUR HAND!

​ “God can use you right where you are with what you have in your hand”.   These words, spoken to me more than twenty years ago by my former worship pastor Ross Turner, have helped me COUNTLESS times throughout my life. ​

I was expressing to Ross how much I wished I could play like the keyboardest in the worship band.  Ross encouraged me to not worry about what I couldn’t do and just be faithful with what I COULD do.  I needed to stop bemoaning what I couldn't do and face up to the real truth. The truth was at that time in my life, I was enjoying singing on the worship team more than playing.  Another truth was that if I wanted to, I could learn new skills... and I did! Now I teach students how to play in worship bands!  

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I think the first step to overcoming “comparison” is to recognize what is the truth and what isn’t.  We must ask ourselves, “Is this goal achievable? If it is, then we need to decide if we are willing to patiently take the steps necessary to achieve that goal, ONE STEP AT A TIME.  

​Sometimes, we try to look at the big picture & give up before taking the first step! 

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For years, I would say "I wish I had big blocks of time so I could learn to write music!"   Finally, I just started using what snippets of time I did have and realized I actually could write music!  

When I decided I wanted to record a CD, I came up with every excuse in the book why it would never happen. Finally, I just decided to be faithful with the steps that I COULD take, like finishing my songs so they would be ready when the time did come to record.

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I am discovering that taking one step forward leads to another.  Pretty soon you can look back and see how far you have traveled!​

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Here is a VERY RECENT example of how “using the tool in your hand” took me to the next step!  

When I was in Nashville last year for the concert at the Opry, I attended a piano workshop led by Kimberly Starkey.  We were asked to get up in front of our peers and improvise "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" with a partner.  Sounds easy, right?  Well, not when you have to follow other artists who are REALLY good at it!​ 

I HAD A CHOICE TO MAKE.    Either I could let comparing myself to all the amazing people ahead of me shut me down, OR I could step out of my comfort zone and risk embarrassment and JUST DO IT!  I chose the latter.  The result?  I happened to be paired with fellow pianist, Ed Bazel, and we had a momentary connection as we both stepped out of our comfort zones together!  As a result of that moment in time, Ed invited me to be an artist on his streaming station “River of Calm”. ​

Just a few weeks ago, I was in Nashville again at Ed’s invitation, performing with other musicians on a Facebook Live "River of Calm Concert", streamed to people all over the world!  Just think, this would have never happened if I had decided at that workshop that the "tool in my hand" was not good enough.  

No step is too small!  I am reminded of the words in Zechariah 4:10 "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin"! (NLT)

​ You just never know where the next step can lead you!