She was in town to do an outdoor concert at the baseball park. I had no ticket because in those days, I didn’t have the foresight to plan ahead for things like that. The drivers seat of my little black Corolla would be the best seat I would get. I drove to the park determined to roll down the windows and find a spot on the street close to the stadium. I was happy there.
In the middle of Come In, a couple leaving the concert early noticed me sitting small in the front seat and held out an extra ticket at the end of outstretched arms. I gratefully accepted and within minutes, the gray muffled tones from the parking lot became rich and distinctly colorful. What had been background was now center stage.
I sat up front, counting her freckles. And then she came into the grassy area after her set and I walked up to her. And we chatted, yes we did: about how her brother and I went to the same small school in a suburb of Detroit, though not at the same time; about how I remember her before she was famous when she came to our youth group and sang folksy, poetic tunes from a stool in the front and about how I had been a fan ever since.
But you know this isn’t really about Sarah Masen. It’s about my continual insistence that I’m okay with less when really, I long for more. It’s about how often I tell myself I’m content to sit on a side street rather than taking thankful steps toward the center of adventure.
If he says He will do far more abundantly beyond, then who am I to stop before He gets there?
I thought about you today. I thought about how some people can write flowery words and they sound, well, flowery. But you write beautifully poetic words that paint a picture so intensely real that I can taste the rain.
And for that, I say thank you.
(and please keep it up!)
Karin
I love Sarah Masen which is one reason the name of your blog caught my attention. But the real reason I’m commenting is that this post speaks to me in such a profound way. It is both convicting and encouraging. Thank you for sharing.
This story about meeting Sarah–and getting to go inside right in the middle of Come In–well, it’s goose bump worthy to me. I love it.
But the application–the question at the end–oh my word. “If he says He will do far more abundantly beyond, then who am I to stop before He gets there?”
I am such a fear-of-failure-driven girl, left on my own, I’d always choose the comfortable scenery of the sidelines instead of stepping up to the plate. But if God calls us to bat, then we are far better off striking out for His glory than shrinking into the bleachers.
I just loved this, Emily. Thank you.
I have discovered the cool and interesting thing about God is He usually provides for our needs in unique or unexpected ways.
so awesome!
I went to the Deeper Still Conference at the end of July and Priscilla Shirer used these verses and seriously, they have stuck with me ever since. Such an AWESOME verse!
This is a theme God is sharing with me lately through the accounts of others. If He wants to take us places we could only dream, who are we to tell Him no? Go with Him, Emily; He made you the way He did for a reason. You are a gift.
Yes, such truth. We all long to be noticed because indeed we are destined for greatness. We are children of the King called to walk in His footsteps. Small wonder we want more than we are led to believe is our lot in life. We need only take His outstretched hand and walk into what He has prepared for us – big or small in the eyes of the world – it’s greatness if it comes from Him.
and in following Him to that center, we find contentment that is rich and real, instead of mediocre, fear-driven settling…
wow.
Just had a conversation about this last night. Was wondering why telling Pete I am content didn’t feel quite true.
Not sure what to do from here. that’s been the case a lot lately. Thanks for sharing you.
I’ll be thinking about this one all day. It fits perfectly in the back pocket of my life right now. Thanks.
wow. Not only is this a great post the comments are great as well and I am yelling AMEN! to most of them. I am right there with Jo as well, and funny, the preacher last night commented on our procrastination is often a fear of failure. Yup, this is all right where I am right now. Thanks again, Emily. As usual, God has used you to create a vision with words just like we are sitting right there in your front seat with you and hearing that muffled sound.
wrestling with this just as i have been studying in hebrews this week about shrinking back…with the shrinking back comes withering and i am in need of a supernatural infusion to spring into new growth. He is pricking my heart about getting involved with something that is beyond my comfort…but to think what i could be stifling.
This was really powerful, Emily. I often wonder what my hesitation is, whether it’s fear of failure or fear of stepping out of my comfort zone, fear of having to change things in my life that I don’t want to change. UGh. Now I read this and I feel like I need to think about it in my own life and I don’t want to. It’s hard.
How is your book coming?
This is powerful girl. I am such a sideliner; such a back row girl. So comfortable cheering others on while I settle into the bleachers. Not so sure why but I’ve always been convinced I was best suited for 2nd or 3rd chair. God’s inviting me in, and up and over. And I’m so hesitant about going there. Can we walk up together to the center? I’ll remind you of what He’s done and why you’re where you are knowing it will help me remember too.
Love you!
Renee
beautiful
I sort of have a connection to Sarah Masen too:) She and her family went to the church that my best friend and her family in high school did (back in Michigan), and that’s how I came to hear about her music. As it were, we are moving back to Michigan in two weeks so I’ll check in with my old high school friend and get some updates on Sarah:)