Vitamins. As a dad of two in my thirties, I’ve finally come to grips with the realities of getting older and started taking them. In researching what vitamins I needed to be taking most, I came across a pretty interesting discovery. Apparently over time, humans have actually lost the ability to absorb water-soluble vitamins. To counteract this, scientists have developed ways to help our bodies absorb nutrients associated with vitamins through things called “transports.” Transports essentially are the taxis that deliver vitamins to our cells so that they aren’t discarded and can be harnessed to support our health. Science for the win!

I tend to think music does the same thing for our hearts.

In His creative goodness, God uses tons of different ways to transport nourishing truth to our hearts, music being one of the most powerful ones. Think about it. How many times have you been struggling in your life to the degree that scripture seems to just bounce off your forehead? But then when scripture was sung over you in that same season of life…whoa! Something happens when truth is combined with song. It’s almost like the melody chisels away the final barrier to our heart so that the truth being sung can be received.

Music impacts us in truly unique and profound ways. It is designed to do that. It is a divine vehicle for truth, capable of transporting the good news of Jesus into the hardest heart and hope to the most downcast soul. This is what I want to see happen more than anything. It’s what keeps me up at night and wakes me early in the morning.

For this reason, I have devoted my life to creating and leading music within the walls of the Church. For the last three years, my wife and I have been affirmed of my call not just to make music, but also to pastor people through it. We know that pastoral gifting doesn't just "happen." It must be fostered and cultivated by those stronger and more proficient in the craft. Believing this, we have prayerfully pursued people and resources to equip us in obeying this call. God has been kind enough to provide an opportunity at The Austin Stone Community Church to study, grow and be constructively challenged as a Resident of Worship. It is an intensive two-year program that has a proven track record of sourcing the global Church with qualified, ministry-ready pastors of music and worship.

So what’s next? No clue. After almost a decade in vocational ministry, the fatigue that comes from worrying about the future is very familiar. It ultimately dilutes our faithfulness in the here and now. While my vocational end game is anybody’s guess, I do know this: Jesus is worth laboring for right now. Whatever tomorrow holds as far as a job, platform or lack thereof, I want to work hard serving Him today.