Consecrated

I was talking to my cousin the other day about something that some people find ironic about me: I can lead worship in front of 100s of people without getting nervous, but I get butterflies in my stomach, and my knees knock together whenever I have to do anything like “karaoke”. (It’s the main reason I think I never had the guts to try out for American Idol. J) To me, the difference between the two scenarios is obvious. The first is all to the glory of God, completely consecrated to Him. The second is for my own glory, or lack thereof.

When I am “on stage” as the entertainment, I get nervous: What if I screw up? What if my voice cracks? What if I look funny? What if I forget the words? The “what if’s” go on and on. When I lead worship I know that none of my mistakes affect the Holy Spirit. God is so much greater than my ability to hit the right notes and sing the right words. And, worship is all for Him, anyway, and has nothing to do with me! (That sure makes it easy to tell when I’m getting in the way: I get nervous!) What would happen if everything in my life were totally consecrated to Him as my worship is? Certainly it wouldn’t make everything easy as pie, or without difficulty, but I really do think it would take out the fear of failure that I carry with me “on stage” in various areas of my life. I think consecrating our lives to God starts in our private walk with Him.

In the Old Testament, God called the Levites to be priests for the people. They were to be the go-between for God and the people, and as such, had to consecrate their lives to God and His service. The entire book of Leviticus outlines the way a person is to become consecrated, and if you take a look through any part of the book, I’m positive you will feel just as overwhelmed as I at the sheer magnitude of the task of making oneself holy and consecrated. But, as you know, we are all called as priests. (1 Peter 2:9) So how can we consecrate our lives?

Thankfully, we live post-Jesus! In Leviticus 8, God instructs Moses to consecrate and anoint Aaron and his sons to become priests for the Israelites. Verse 12 says, “And he (Moses) poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him, to consecrate him.” So, we can assume that anointing is part of that consecration. I believe that begins for us, as believers, when we accept Christ as our Savior. His blood covers us, as anointing oil covered Aaron. Step 1 complete!

All the other requirements of a priest we fulfill ONLY through Christ. He is the ONLY one who fulfilled the law down to the letter, and through salvation we put on Christ and become free from the law. Not only did Christ make us holy (phew!), but I believe He gave us an outline on how we can walk as consecrated individuals. In Matthew 6:5-13 Jesus speaks about prayer. What does that have to do with consecrated living? Take a look at the passage:

‘And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’

Jesus wasn’t trying to tell you not to ever pray in public. The point I believe he was trying to make clear is this: In all you do, let it be for God’s glory, and not your own. In Christ’s prayer He acknowledged God in all areas of His life. When we purpose in our hearts, privately with God, that all that we do will be for His glory, His purpose and His plan, it will echo in our public lives. Submitting all to His sovereignty will allow us to walk, serve and lead without fear! He covers our every mistake.

So, if there are areas of your life that give those butterflies flight and set your knees to shaking, surrender that area to God’s glory and purpose and walk fearless!

-Staci