Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you;he will never let the righteous fall.
Psalm 55:22

Insecurities, we all have them. They take root in different forms and so often it’s easier to see the magnitude of their effects in others. We see it in the acquaintance who, oblivious to her potential, is much more comfortable riding on the coat tail of others success. She’s great at assisting someone with their vision but, won’t step out to execute hers. She’s a superb sidekick.  We see it in the envious friend who won’t genuinely support his friends endeavors or congratulate others. Their success has him feeling inadequate. He never considers that they struggle too. He’s a superb hater. We see it in the individual so concerned with what others think he’s rarely himself. He’s too busy pretending to be someone else, pumping himself up, telling white lies and never admitting when he is wrong. He reasons that if you really knew him you wouldn’t like him. He’s a superb actor. In one form or another they’ve all settled for comfortable roles when they’d be best at being themselves.

Not too many of the people around me know but, I play piano by ear. I didn’t start playing until I was 17 and did so without lessons. Even still, within a few years I was able to play for a few choirs here and there. However, when compared to a seasoned musician I start to feel inadequate. I don’t learn songs as fast and my runs and licks aren’t as good. It doesn’t leave room for gratitude. It by passes the fact that I specifically asked for the gift and God was gracious enough to give it to me when he didn’t have to. However seemingly little it may be, the truth is that it’s more than most have been given. Though at times I may feel out of my element, it’s helped immensely with my songwriting. I’ve come to realize that the best aren’t the only ones who’s gifts have purposes or who have callings. The key is to look to God for security. How are your insecurities holding you back?

“All I am is all I have.  And all, all I have to give and I give it all to You”.

 

Sydney is an independent artist and Executive
Director of Uprise in Detroit, MI. She is passionate
about young adult ministry.

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Proverbs 16:3

    I  started my graduate studies the fall after earning a Bachelor of Science in Communication in April of 2009. The original plan was to work and take one or two classes a semester. I figured that I’d be finished in three to five years. No rush. However, because my job search wasn’t going the greatest by the time classes started and I saw no use in sitting at home, I enrolled as a full time student. All the while, I looked for employment in the nonprofit sector but, semester after semester I found none. I ended up earning a Master in Public Administration with a graduate certificate in nonprofit leadership in 16 months and 8 months later there is still no “job”. I got to a point where I’d take just about any job. In all this time I have only had three interviews. It’s quite pitiful…so much so that instead of being discouraged I was quite excited to see what in the world God was up to. My job prospects were too bleak for God not to be in the midst.

    During my time in graduate school, I along with three others started Uprise, a faith based nonprofit. It was something I had not planed to do until some years from now, you know…when I had more experience. It was why I wanted a job in the nonprofit sector and why I continued school. It was a logical plan. I had my plans but, God has His and it’s time now to submit to it. It’s time to be bold. It’s time to step out on faith. You see I have a job and have for some time as Executive Director of Uprise but, because this job doesn’t “pay” I’ve reasoned this can’t be it. God must have an additional job in store because of course I need money. To believe that this what God had in store for me entirely seemed downright foolish. When people asked what I did for a living I hardly ever said I was an executive director for a nonprofit and if I did it was downplayed as if it were a mere hobby. I let how I thought others would perceive the legitimacy of my job dictate its significance and the amount of time I felt justified putting into Uprise. Ultimately I put God in a box.  I limited Him.

 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5,6.

    God has asked me to do some things and don’t completely understand why and as much as I would like them to be they aren’t in my comfort zone.  For some of you too, it’s also time for you step out of faith…to be bold. The truth is that not everyone will understand or agree but, why should they? It’s YOU that has received conviction.


Sydney is an independent artist and Executive
Director of Uprise in Detroit, MI. She is passionate
about young adult ministry. 

Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalms 25:4-5