Happy New Year! What have you been up to? Did you make some resolutions at the end of 2016? How’s that going so far?
Late last year, one of the resolutions I made was to face my fears and go ahead and set a date to release my first album (a project I had been working on and off on for almost 10 years). And on top of that, I decided to do it with a live concert. This is a huge and scary step for me because, although I am an extrovert, I’m really shy about putting myself out there, especially with my music. It’s such a vulnerable feeling. Honestly, I could have released an album years ago, if I wasn’t so scared. Scared of people not liking my music. Scared that they wouldn’t like my voice. Scared that my style was different. Scared of not being seen as “good enough”. Scared that I was too old or that I didn’t fit the mold. Scared that, with the hundreds of thousands of singer/songwriters in the world, why would anyone listen to me? Have you ever had that type of fear that keeps you stuck and stagnant?
The problem with that mindset is that singing, leading worship, writing inspirational songs and songs of the hope found in Jesus are a passion that God put in me. And He put them there for a reason. So how dare I take what was placed in me by Him and bury it? And even if I was afraid, why let my fears seem bigger than my God?
And so in October, I set a date to release my album and have a live worship event to celebrate it. It’s set for February 17, 2017 (see flyer). I set the date even though my songs were not complete. Even though I did not know how it would all come together financially. Even though I did not know if I had time to finish everything before the set date. Even though I had no band in place.
And then I announced it to friends, family…the public, so that I would not back out of it. To say that I am nervous is an understatement. But I have been so inspired by the amount of encouragement and support I have received so far. Encouragement from some people volunteering to help on that day. Or others saying “we’ve been waiting for you to do this…” Still others contributing or offering to contribute financially. Oh man, it truly has been so REASSURING.
And so today, I want to encourage to do whatever it takes to make this your happy new year. In this new year, if you know that you are not yet doing all that God has called you to do, please start now. Don’t bury your treasure/talents. Start – even if you don’t see how it will get done. Don’t worry about the how. Just start right where you are; there is something you can do. God will provide destiny helpers for you. And if there is any way I can help you pursue, let me know. Let this be the year that you finally step out and do that BIG thing.
I’ll end by asking you to please pray for this project. I still don’t have it all together, but I know that God will perfect it all. He has been so faithful and I know that His hand is in this. Pray that He alone would be glorified in this and through this. And if you are in Houston or the surrounding areas, I would love to have you as my special guest on February 17th for a worship celebration. God bless you!
P.S. Another thing I did this new year was create an Official Lyric Video to my song “Rebirth”? Please check it out HERE and let me know what you think. And after watching it, please LIKE, COMMENT and SHARE it with someone.
God bless you!
