Here in the South, we are all about manners. We say please and thank you. We grow up learning to ask permission to do any and every thing. This is good and right. But there comes a point where we begin to ask permission for everything, and we ask permission for things that God has already said “yes” to.
I grew up a Catholic in New Orleans. It was very traditional and prim and proper. I accepted Christ during my sophomore year in college. The new Christian circles I began to travel in started out with Southern Baptists and then moved toward the Charismatic sect. In any given corporate worship setting now, I raise my hands, clap, and dance. This demonstrative style is very much the opposite of how I grew up. By no means is one way better than the other. But I do like how I worship.
I recently attended a women’s conference at a sweet Methodist church. The women were kind and welcoming. I go to a non-denominational mega church where we are loud in worship and we talk back to the preacher during the sermon. I’m not used to services being so quiet. The Lord has done a work in me regarding how I worship. I learned to keep my eyes fixed on Him and to not care what others think. Both days I sat in the front and worshiped my little heart out. I “amen’d” Lisa Harper a lot as she spoke. She liked it. Throughout the course of the conference, probably about 5 or so women that I didn’t know approached me. They all said that they loved how I worship. They said they wish they could do that. A couple of them even said how they now felt permission to worship more freely.
Y’all I get this from quite a bit of people when I find myself in other church environments. It blesses me beyond words! Over the past several months, I have begun to realize that many of us are waiting around for someone to give us permission. We wait for permission to share God’s Word. We wait for permission to use our gifts. We often wait for permission to pursue our dreams.
Why? Why do we wait for someone else to give us permission?
Ultimately, God has already given us all the permission that we’ll ever need.
He has created us, called us, and equipped us.
God is our enough.
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” {2 Corinthians 12:9}
I find myself living in this insane cycle of shame and inadequacy. I don’t ever feel equipped enough for all that God has called me to do. There is a constant struggle with feeling not enough and too much, but I thank God for the process. He is teaching me how to rely fully on Him instead of myself. I am just a vessel for His presence to flow through. My efforts and strength will always fail. They are fleeting and inconsistent. The Lord knows this. Our weaknesses don’t come as a surprise to Him. He never expects for us to have it all together. He only expects us, as His daughters, to wholly trust in His power and what He can accomplish.
Lead from the front.
“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” {1 Corinthians 11:1}
This verse in Corinthians is integral to discovering how not to seek permission from others. When we discover that we are leaders, we view ministry, leading, and serving in a different light. We realize we actually do have something to contribute, something of value. We actually have something the world needs. God has intricately woven us with gifts, skills, talents, passions, and burdens. Sometimes that’s hard for me to accept because I get caught in a web of comparison and jealousy. I forget how much I am loved by the Father. I forget that He calls me an ambassador for His Gospel. We all are. We are all needed to advance it to the billions who have yet to know Him.
We need to step forward and understand that, whether we realize it or not, others are watching us. They are looking at us to set the pace. They are looking to us to lead by example.
I want to lead well.
I want to lead with confidence.
I want to lead out of the enough-ness of God.
I don’t need permission from anyone to share the Gospel, use my gifting, or pursue my dreams. And neither do you.
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Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Karina,
I can relate to your story. I grew up in a very staunch, conservative Presbyterian church. If I went back there with my hand-raising, moving as the music moves me, clapping style of worship they’d probably escort me out lol. As I get older, I’ve grown more comfortable in my own skin and the way God has programmed me to worship, lead, write, express His great love for me. I, too, always looked for the “permission slip”, but He already handed it to me when He created me and He gave me the Holy Spirit as my internal guide when I accepted Christ as my Savior. Thank you for this reminder that permission has been granted!
Blessings,
Bev
Karina Allen says
Amen Bev!
I bet we would have a great time worshiping together!!!! 🙂
Keep leading my sister! Others are looking to you. May they see Christ in you!!!!
Lynn B. says
Thanks for writing this. Not a subject we hear much on but important.
Karina Allen says
So important Lynn!
Leading applies in all areas of our lives. This is one that happens to be dominant in my life.
Thank you for sharing!!!!
Jennifer Frisbie says
I have to say that I was nodding my head in agreement as I read your post. Not because I worship in this manner but because I’ve admired the way that you do. I sat behind you at Declare last year and was blessed by your expression of worship. So glad to have read these words here today, Karina.
Karina Allen says
Awe. Thank you Jennifer! You are so sweet!!!!
Will I see you there this year?
Anne Watson says
Great post, Karina! Love this and you!!
Karina Allen says
Thanks sister!!!!! I love you more!!!!!!!!!!!!
JeanneTakenaka says
Karina, what a wonderful post. I came to Jesus in a Quaker church, and I thank Him for introducing me to to Him in that church. As I’ve grown up and discovered more about who God’s made me to be, I’ve become comfortable with my way of worship as well. Learning not to feel inhibited with who God has created me to be has been a life-long journey. Feeling the freedom to embrace the gifts God’s given me to use for His glory—and to do so without waiting for permission—has become easier as I learn to walk comfortable with myself, if that makes sense. I’m still unwrapping this particular gift—confidence in Him and in being transparent with Him and others so I can use His gifts more freely. If that makes sense. 🙂
Karina Allen says
I love that Jeanne!
May the Lord bless you in your process. May You see how much He delights in you when you are walking out your gifting, calling and identity. May you seek His approval and seek to lead others to walk out all that God has called them to be.
Blessings! Thank you for sharing!!!
PamC says
Amen!
Karina Allen says
Blessings to you Pam!!!!
Rebecca Jones says
I found Ecclesiastes 9:7, that say we have God’s approval. It is about being comfortable in your own skin, not caring what others think. I’m somewhere in the middle, I have been to “dead” churches, and had a lady almost push me through a plate glass window and almost been trampled and pushed through a plate glass window at a charismatic convention, which is a turn off. The main thing is that in Him we live and move and have our being. Acts 17 27:28
Karina Allen says
Amen Rebecca!
That’s crazy! Thank you for sharing!!!!
Christy Mobley says
Beautiful post Karina. Your’e giving the courage to sit on the front row and amen the pastor!
Karina Allen says
Well, thanks! Ha! 🙂
LaToya Brown says
Karina, great post. Basically you’re saying, “Do you BooBoo!”in the most Christian way of course. Lol. Well I’ve felt awkward for not shouting at churches where the “KaDack!” of the drum inspired a wild praise. I’ve also felt uncomfortable and ashamed for tears running down my face and trembling hands in churches where the mice scamper in slippers. For each person, I believe we know how we are to express our worship, but our fear of being different – even in church – causes us to miss our opportunities of uniqueness. Thank you for the encouragement to love God freely, in all forms available.
Karina Allen says
LaToya! True Dat!!!!! Ha!
In every area of our lives, including how we worship, people are watching and looking for permission to be who God’s created them to be and to live out the calling He has on their lives. May we lean into Him and be bold and lead from the front!
Thank you for sharing!!!!!!!
Beth Williams says
Karina,
I used to go to Methodist churches. They are the quiet sit and listen type. I have come to be more of a vocal person in my praising God. I love to raise my hand, and even say amen some. In our little church you will see people raising their hands, and even saying amen when preacher talks. I think we should all praise & worship God however we feel!
Blessings 🙂