“Whatever the fears, encourage yourself to face them—and then turn them over to God. God loves you, and when we know Christ and have put our faith and trust in Him, we know He’ll never abandon us.” Rev. Billy Graham
Several years ago a fantastic movie was released that chronicled the brilliance and egocentricities of PT Barnum, creator of the Barnum American Museum show that eventually, through success, failure, total loss by fire (twice) and a re-imagined show resulted in the Barnum & Bailey show that when combined with Ringling Bros. entertained millions for over 140 years.
An intriguing story within the movie was Barnum’s idea to bring the Swedish singer, Jenny Lind to the United States for a nationwide tour. Arguably, one of the most beautiful songs ever sung in a movie was Never Enough, with Jenny Lind (brilliantly played by actress Rebecca Ferguson). singing the song while Barnum looked on with eyes mesmerized by her voice and delivery. And it was all acting and deception. Rebecca Ferguson was not the actual singer of the song and skillfully lip synced her way through the song to the delight of audiences worldwide.
Fast forward to 2022 and a little known singer named Loren Allred walked on to the stage of Britain’s Got Talent and disclosed that she was the amazing voice behind the song that had delighted tens of millions of people as they watched the movie and the aforementioned scene. Incredible! The judges were mesmerized and when asked why the big break did not come her way after singing this song, Allred answered that “I was more comfortable singing behind the scenes, but I now feel the song was made for me and I am ready to put a face to the song.” Wow!
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:13-16 (NLT)
It’s hard to fathom that someone who has the voice that Loren has would have any hesitancy of her ability, her worth, her appeal, her contribution. Can I tell you that this is exactly how our Father in Heaven looks at each of us. I believe he says to his son, Jesus, “how can (your name here) not recognize how beautifully and marvelously they are made?” Stay with me because God does not question but he mourns our questioning. He desires so deeply that we walk into who he has created us to be and who we are and Whose we are. You are the daughter or son of the most high God. The Omnipotent Creator of all things. You matter and your contribution will have the same impact as Loren Allred had and has had since having the confidence to walk into the God-given talents that she possesses and share them with us.
I don’t know who needs to hear this but this is your time. 2023 is the year that you take the step of courage to release yourself into the world. Oh I beg you, take the first step. We need you. The World desperately needs your contribution to the beautiful tapestry of a broken humanity desperate for the gifts that only your can deliver. If your gift is encouragement, encourage. If it is cleaning, clean. If it’s driving children to school in a bus, drive them well and with love like my beautiful mother did for 23 years before she was promoted to Heaven. You matter. Your voice is needed. Your gifts are priceless. Your love, oh your contribution of love, the love that only you can deliver will make a difference beyond your understanding. Take a step.
You Are Enough and there is never enough of you for those awaiting in your path.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)