When You Want to be Someone You’re Not

I always wanted to be on the worship team. I wanted to stand up there with a keyboard or a guitar and lead people into the presence of God.

Actually, that sounds a lot holier than it really is. Here’s the truth.

I wanted the part.

If church were a movie, I wanted to play the role of worship leader. Why?

Well, the worship leader always has great hair. It’s true. And trendy clothes. I don’t know if those come with the job or if you need to come to the stage with them, but I wanted them.

And can we just say they sound great. I mean, they just always do. And people who sound great are pretty people, right? So, yeah. I want that, too.

Plus they lead. And people love it. They stand up front and people look to them as an arrow to the throne of God. I could be a great arrow if I had the hair and the clothes and the keyboard.

Even in the church we can get lost in the production. We can look around and envy the call of someone else. A call that is flashier, prettier, simpler, bolder, holier. We look around and think that is the call I should have.

I know what you’re thinking. Why don’t I just join the worship team? There’s a little problem in this worship team scenario: I’m really not a singer. I mean, in my car when “Livin’ on a Prayer” takes me back I’ll sing like a boss. But in reality, singing is not my gift.

So here I am looking around wanting a gift that isn’t mine for all the wrong reasons.

Have you ever wanted a gifting that really isn’t yours?

Sometimes it’s hard to be content in who we are. That’s really what this all comes down to. Contentment. When we envy something in someone else it means we are not content with what we have or who we are. But we don’t need to stay in that place.

When we envy something in someone else it means we are not content with who we are. But we don't need to stay in that place. Share on X

You may know the verses about Paul and his amazing contentment. He was writing from prison and tells of how content he is in every situation.

I know both how to make do with a little, and how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content — whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:12-13

I read this and I roll my eyes.

Not the encouragement you expected? I know, but I’m keeping it real. I skim over the first few sentences, rolling my eyes, and hold onto that last part: “I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” I like that last part.

The truth is we can’t skip ahead. We can’t glaze over the work to get to the prize. 

When I really look at the verse instead of rolling my eyes, we can see that Paul didn’t come into this world full of contentment. He “learned the secret of being content.”

That tells us two important things:

1. Contentment is a process to be learned.
2. Contentment is not obvious.

This is something we need to learn. We need to uncover this hidden treasure of contentment, doing the work, going through the process. It’s not out there for all to see clearly. It takes effort.

Are you willing to put the effort in?

This is deep. And about far more than singing on a worship team. When we accept the process and put in the work we can learn this secret. We can grab hold of our circumstances and be at peace with it. And that is something that brings the freedom to do all things through Jesus.

Am I there yet? No. But every time I seek out more of this secret, every time I learn something new and choose to be content I am a little closer.

What little step can you take toward contentment today?

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Check out these great sites I’m linking up with: Literacy Musing Mondays, Purposeful Faith, Tea & Word Tuesday, Abounding Grace, Tell His Story, Porch Stories, Let’s Have Coffee, Worth Beyond Rubies, Moments of Hope, Tune in Thursday, Dance with Jesus, Fresh Market Friday, Faith ‘n Friends, Blogger Voices Network, Grace & Truth, Heart Encouragement