April 22
Hearing Joy
God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them....
I Peter 4:10 (LB)
... let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be.
Romans 12:5b (The Message)
I went to a Contemporary Christian concert recently and I was reminded of the importance of pursuing our passions and our strengths—no matter what. It was a Todd Agnew concert, but the only thing I heard from Todd was his initial comment. He introduced his opening performer by saying he didn’t listen to the commercial music most of us listen to. “No,” he said, “when I listen to music on my iPod, I listen to Joy Whitlock.” A minute later, she took the stage.
Like most of the performers she was casually dressed in T-shirt and jeans. She had a punk haircut and a soft, believable voice. At twenty-six, she was looking back and confessing to some serious bumps on her life path, but four years ago, she found Jesus. It’s been a hard journey, but she’s on an upward climb. She’s into music and doing what she loves. She’s singing for Him. Joy performed beautifully ... in a laid back, give them every once of truth they can take kind of way. I bought one of her $5 CDs and wish I’d picked up four more. I’ve just about worn this one out. :-)
Joy sings from a richness of experience and her tunes haunt the soul. Both guitar and words resonate and stir. She has dug deep, disciplined herself and courageously ventured where God has called.
She is someone, and she reminds me I am someone too. I have a sacrifice to make too, and so do you. To be the best we can be takes commitment, courage and a lot of soul. It takes ... depending on Him.
Her official CD comes out in spring, 2008. Soon, many will hear and appreciate Joy Whitlock. And us? People may never hear our voices or understand our sacrifices or appreciate how God has moved in our lives, but it doesn’t matter. We keep on keeping on. We do what He designed us to do—serving in His strength.
Lord, bring Your blessing to Joy, Your voice to her message, and help us all to be the people you call us to be—completely Yours! Amen.
Hearing Joy
God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them....
I Peter 4:10 (LB)
... let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be.
Romans 12:5b (The Message)
I went to a Contemporary Christian concert recently and I was reminded of the importance of pursuing our passions and our strengths—no matter what. It was a Todd Agnew concert, but the only thing I heard from Todd was his initial comment. He introduced his opening performer by saying he didn’t listen to the commercial music most of us listen to. “No,” he said, “when I listen to music on my iPod, I listen to Joy Whitlock.” A minute later, she took the stage.
Like most of the performers she was casually dressed in T-shirt and jeans. She had a punk haircut and a soft, believable voice. At twenty-six, she was looking back and confessing to some serious bumps on her life path, but four years ago, she found Jesus. It’s been a hard journey, but she’s on an upward climb. She’s into music and doing what she loves. She’s singing for Him. Joy performed beautifully ... in a laid back, give them every once of truth they can take kind of way. I bought one of her $5 CDs and wish I’d picked up four more. I’ve just about worn this one out. :-)
Joy sings from a richness of experience and her tunes haunt the soul. Both guitar and words resonate and stir. She has dug deep, disciplined herself and courageously ventured where God has called.
She is someone, and she reminds me I am someone too. I have a sacrifice to make too, and so do you. To be the best we can be takes commitment, courage and a lot of soul. It takes ... depending on Him.
Her official CD comes out in spring, 2008. Soon, many will hear and appreciate Joy Whitlock. And us? People may never hear our voices or understand our sacrifices or appreciate how God has moved in our lives, but it doesn’t matter. We keep on keeping on. We do what He designed us to do—serving in His strength.
Lord, bring Your blessing to Joy, Your voice to her message, and help us all to be the people you call us to be—completely Yours! Amen.
posted by Craig Soderquist at 8:30 PM
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