Stepping into God's Plan with Courage

 

Stepping into God’s Plan with Courage
Friday, August 1, 2025 by C. Joy Pierce

I’ve always loved music; notes carry me as I go throughout each day. So when God asked me to step into music, the answer was an easy yes, right? No. Not as simple as anyone can imagine. Some people may say it’s our calling to do this or that, but my music instructor Will B. Smith II put it more simply: “Our calling is to make Jesus known and bring glory to His name.” God has blessed us with gifts to make His kingdom greater. Living in a way where our calling is to make Jesus known is a less complicated way of thinking. Making mistakes? We’ve all messed up, many times. Feeling unworthy? I feel that way too. God’s word says, “The LORD your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will be quiet in his love. He will delight in you with singing.” - Zephaniah 3:17

It’s easy to be silenced by the noise all around us. We may hear from ourselves or others that we’ll never be good enough. Or we may want to stay in the tempting comfort zone. The hard part is that we are often criticized by those who matter to us the most. The ones who are supposed to support us through thick and thin sometimes let us down.

I’ve been blessed to have many great influences in my life, which has taught me a lot. I’ve had my times of being pushed out of the nest so I could learn how to fly, and eventually soar. Think of the eagles, designed by God to rise above the storms, to be safe from dangers and obstacles. I like to think of fledging out of the nest, learning to fly.

We can see the small bits and pieces as God reveals. We can hear His voice when we are still. When the storm comes, our Heavenly Father will help us rise above it all. We will experience the storm but come out better because of our ability to hear and see God. “Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us—to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever, Amen.” - Ephesians 3:20-21

Mustering the courage to lead worship at church is not through me or about me in any way. I once heard it said like this, “I’m not confident in myself, I am confident in God.” So the path we take to gain courage is by believing in the God of possible. I can’t do anything on my own strength, but trust in the One who can. Psalm 57:7 says, “My heart is confident God, my heart is confident. I will sing; I will sing praises.”

The journey to becoming a member of the worship team has been long. This dream has bubbled inside of me for many years. Learning to accept correction, learning to fall, learning to get back up again, and learning to be strong are all parts of the process.

The lesson that has captivated me the most is, “Worship leaders are ushers, they lead you to your place (praising in spirit, in truth), and step out of the picture.”- Will B Smith II.

Acknowledging my participation on the worship team is not shining a spotlight on me and that I’m just a guide is what beckons me forward. The Bible tells us that people of worship were put in the front (Psalm 68:25, 2 Chronicles 20:21). When I think about the power of worship and praise, 2 Chronicles 20 comes to mind. King Jehoshaphat faced a huge obstacle. Three different armies had banded together to try and take his kingdom down. The first thing Jehoshaphat did was pray. Then God told him to march into battle as victors because He was going to win this battle. God is present in our times of trouble, and in our weaknesses. He’s fighting and winning our battles. They’re His.

If the hard part about God’s plan is that it seems impossible, most likely it's bigger than you. There are many examples in the Bible of unlikely leaders. Take Gideon for example, he was literally in hiding. He did not want to show his face at all. But an angel appeared to him and called him a mighty warrior of God! He ended up leading an army of 300 men and through God won the victory. There are many, many other examples of other people just like this in the Bible. I have heard it said that “God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called.”

We shouldn’t miss out on the amazing opportunities that God has for us. There is freedom in obedience. Would Moses have gotten to use his staff in the parting of the Red Sea? Would Noah have gotten to build an ark that took over 100 years to build and witness animal kinds walk onto the boat two-by-two? Would Mary have gotten to give birth to and raise the Son of God? If they hadn’t stepped out in obedience, they probably would’ve missed out on the miraculous that took place in their lives. “Now if you will carefully listen to me and keep my covenant, you will be my own possession out of all the peoples, although the whole earth is mine.” - Exodus 19:5

If you are interested in stepping out into God’s plan, pray this prayer with me:

Heavenly Father, I want to be on fire for You. I don’t want to lean on my understanding; I am choosing to trust You. May I make You the center of my life and stand on Your word. You are my firm foundation. I long to be Your hands and feet. Guide my steps and lead, I will follow. When I pass through deep waters, the fire, the storms, I know You will be with me. Sometimes we will walk on water, sometimes we will make it to the top of the mountain, and when I sink, You are right there to lift me up. Lord, make my ways straight, keep my eyes on You. When I seek You, let me find You. Use me to bring glory to Your name. Help me to plant seeds in the lives of other people and make Your kingdom greater. Humble me when my pride gets in the way. I want to make You famous. May everything I do not be about myself, but about You.

In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Step out into this beautiful journey. Jesus is calling you, where endless possibilities await.