With the microphone in my hand as I waited for the song to start, I suddenly heard the almost audible voice of God ask me a question: “If you were never on a platform again, would you still serve me?”
I was stunned. What a question! My first instinctive answer was to say, “Yes of course, God.” The song started and I had to focus on the song, singing as though everything was fine, but in my heart, I could not wait to walk off that platform and talk with God. I can’t tell you how long I stayed around the altar, but I can tell you that the altar changed my life that night. You see, from a young age I had been blessed to sing many places and on many platforms. It was, quite honestly, my comfort zone. It was exciting and fulfilling! I sang for Jesus and His presence always came down, so my passion was to let others feel what I felt. Singing was my world, but that night God was doing something in my heart. God was desiring for me to be as passionate about Him as I was the gifts and talents He’d given me.
In brokenness and tears I told God that I would finish the few short weeks of that current semester but sit myself down for the next six months. I would not be on one platform, no matter who asked me to sing. I committed to the Lord that I would still serve Him, even if there were no more platforms to stand on or microphones to hold. It wasn’t some flippant prayer and meaningless commitment prayed in an emotional moment; I meant it. I wanted to show God, not just with words but with action, that I loved Him from the bottom of my heart. I could’ve answered His question with a simple “yes” and moved on, but my heart could not hurry away from His voice. Action was necessary on my part.
As Abraham showed himself willing to offer the closest thing to him—his son—as a sacrifice unto the Lord on Mount Moriah, I also felt compelled to scale the heights of a hard commitment and prove that I was willing to take the hard road of sacrifice in order to please the Lord. I had no idea what the next six months would bring or be like, but it didn’t matter. I felt the affirming presence of God flood my soul in that altar. I was truly on holy ground. Sure, I knew there would be challenges, temptation, and moments of frustration, but this would be the next season of my life. After all, if God was leading me into it then God would lead me through it. As extreme and, perhaps, naive as it might sound, I knew I could handle hardship and trial as long as I was in the will of God. Unable to get up from underneath the weight of God’s glory, I told the Lord, “It is not about the spotlight; it is all about you, Jesus. I will serve you faithfully without a platform. I don’t need to sing before a crowd. I don’t need the limelight. I just need You!”
I told no one of this moment, outside of my parents who were my spiritual covering. It was so intimate and real that I couldn’t share it with friends yet. They might not understand. They weren’t there. They didn’t have the experience I had in that altar.
You should never be ashamed of moments on holy ground between you and the Lord. Don’t ever think that your personal encounter with God must be validated by the opinions of others. Always have an open line of communication with your spiritual covering but have confidence in what the voice of the Lord has said and what you have felt in His presence.
Here is the reality. That divine holy encounter happened within one evening yet living out my commitment would take an entire six months. When you compare one evening to the span of six months, the contrast is stark. Could what happened in a few hours sustain me through a whole half year? The skeptic says no, but the one who is convinced of God’s faithfulness says yes. I knew the months ahead would be trying and that on some days it would be easy to compromise the covenant I made. There were certainly times that I wondered where God went. His presence wasn’t always as clearly evident as it had been that night in the altar, but I made sure my commitment was. I refused to blur the lines or make exceptions. If God confirms His Word and never compromises a promise made to us, then shouldn’t I do the same with my words given to Him? As we take His Word seriously, He takes ours seriously also.
“Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant” (Ezekiel 16:60).
The moment of commitment held value, not only to me, but to God also. He took account of my words and, pending their fulfillment and my faithfulness to them, God formed my future and divinely orchestrated steps of favor and blessing that I will one day take. God always honors those who are faithful to honor Him and their commitments to Him.
Have you had a God moment? A moment where you know without any doubt that God has spoken to you? Have you heard that whispering voice ask the question that could change your life for the better, if you humbly respond? Perhaps you’ve heard that voice and felt His drawing on multiple occasions, but you’ve been too caught up with your own spotlight that you have dismissed it. I challenge you to listen for His voice and obey. It can be scary and uncertain to step out of your comfort zone and commit yourself to God but seeing the unfolding wonder of His will is worth it all.
Jamin Hart and husband, Jeremy, are full-time evangelists. She is a recording artist, author, and songwriter. Jamin’s passion is to encourage young ladies and women of all ages in their walk with God. This article is an excerpt from her book, Still Gonna Praise You.