Captivated to Step Aside
“Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the LORD.” Psalm 107:43 (NLT)
Today is my final blog for PennDel Women. After serving for five years, the assignment I felt the Lord gave me, I stepped aside so the next director, Charisse Jenkins, could take the lead. It’s bittersweet, as I have loved leading PennDel Women and working with the beautiful team God placed around me. Investing our lives and energy in the next generation so they hear about and experience God’s power firsthand is vital to mentoring. The scripture in the book of Joshua about a generation not KNOWING the Lord or the work he had done is just plain sad.
“And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.” – Judges 2.10 (emphasis mine)
God intends the story of His faithfulness to go from generation to generation.
Psalm 145.4 says: “One generation shall commend your works to another and shall declare your mighty acts.”
Years ago, I loved being on our church worship team. For about twenty years, I enjoyed practicing, learning harmonies, and leading our beautiful congregation in worship as part of the team. From my years in college, being in the Harvesters, the traveling group for Southwestern AG University, singing and harmonizing were part of who I am. But then it wasn’t.
One day, looking at our growing church, I realized that because I was on the worship team, I was taking a spot someone else could fill and experience the joy I experienced. So, I stepped aside and made room for someone new. Truthfully, I experienced some feelings of loss during that time, but I knew my temporary feelings would pass and younger women would step into their future. I watched that happen! Tentative at first, a beautiful transformation took place as they learned not only how to sing on the worship team but, even more importantly, how to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and lead the congregation with their gifts.
”So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come…” Psalm 71:18
Life is all about seasons, and this season is ending. Transitioning is a part of life; this is not my first transition and won’t be my last. You and I proclaim God’s might to generations coming up behind us until our journey on this earth is over.
All the best, PennDel Women! I have loved serving you!
Liz
