Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
Hello Faith! There are times in your life when you’re asked to do something unexpected that puts you out of your comfort zone. These are moments that often can cause stress and anxiety, but when embraced can lead to growth and development. In some cases, they can even have ripple effects that will shape the rest of your life.
Pastor Heather is away at church camp with 28 of our youth, and Pastor Seungrok and his wife Tae Soon just welcomed their newborn daughter yesterday! So now I find myself the next person up, called upon to write the “pastor’s blog” and feeling completely unqualified (you won’t find the word pastor in my very long title).
Many of you may be surprised to learn that I do not feel comfortable singing. You may ask yourself, “why would he work in a job that requires him to sing when he is uncomfortable doing so?” When I was in college, I played drums and acoustic guitar with the praise team at the OU Wesley foundation. I was asked by the current worship leader, Taylor, to lead a song one evening. I told him no, but he would not take no for an answer. Taylor saw something in me that I did not see within myself and pushed me to use that gift. I reluctantly agreed, not knowing that only a few weeks later he would announce he would be stepping down from his role and had recommended me for the position. That night led me down a path of ministry that I am still on today.
Standing in front of a congregation each Sunday morning to lead worship is extremely nerve-wracking, even now, 10 years later. Thoughts of doubt, insecurity, and fear often creep into my head right around 10:58am. In these moments, I like to pause, breathe, and remind myself why it is I am leading worship.
My job is not to sound good or be a perfect vocalist. It is not to make music that people want to clap along with or hum in their cars on the way home. I believe worship is an upward focused experience. Our hearts, minds, and voices should be directed toward God. My goal is to help create an atmosphere where the congregation can engage in the act of worshiping God fully. I go into worship each Sunday praying that God will use me in some way that day to help others grow in their faith.
Had I not said yes to something outside my comfort zone all those years ago, I don’t know that I would be where I am today. I met my wife leading worship at church camp and now have the joy of a family. That one moment led me to where I am today. Is there somewhere in your life God is calling you to step out and take a chance? I encourage you to have faith and courage to know that it could lead you somewhere incredible.
Jonathon Garrett
Contemporary Music & Communications Director