I grew up on my parents music, and it was lp (long playing) records, and 45's.
I grew up on Disney too, but those were also l.p. records with about a dozen large color pictures in a "book" the size of the record jacket.
Given that I don't like much modern music (or movies) I'd rather have a turntable now then an ipod.
I can carry a tune as the saying goes, but have many extended family members who "couldn't carry a tune in a bucket."
I LOVE to hear others sing from the heart, even if they couldn't make a living doing it. I really hate that many compare their own ability to professionals, and will say they "can't" do whatever.
I am also impressed with the voice some of those family members I mentioned have developed. I think the limiting factors in what any of us can do is desire, faith and persistence , not natural ability.
So SING! Make that joyful noise!
You may go much farther then you even think is possible. Truly!
You are sooooo right! Hollywood's image of success has skewed most of the Western world's perspective on just about everything in life!
Then of course we do what most humans do, which is exactly what Scripture tells us NOT to do--compare ourselves among ourselves 2 Corinthians 10:12"For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
As that happens we doubt our ability to do what we hear Yeshua calling us to do. So now we're walking against the light of Proverbs 3:5,6.
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (another Scripture song BTW)
We forget that we don't HAVE to do it in our own strength because of His promise in Philppians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (also another Scripture song
)So many believers have fallen into the "I-can-not" pit! For various reasons they have lived most of their lives listening to the "I can nots". In John Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress, probably the Slough of Despond comes the closest to describing the results and effects of this pit--the I-can-not-pit. God, the Great and Wonderful Creator, doesn't make any trash!!! He's gifted every human being with at least 1 talent. The Parable of the Talents is a perfect example of what could happen in ones life if that one will but simply trust the Lord GOD to help them develop the 1 talent they don't think is good enough, or couldn't possibly be used.
Matthew 13:12
For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
Matthew 25:29
For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Luke 16:10 comes to mind: "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." Followed by Micah 6:8 "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (both verses together are another song)
I Cor. 1:27, 28
"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:"
If you haven't read Hannah Hurnard's Hinds Feet on High Places, put it on your to-do list---at the top! It's an allegory, much like John Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress. I cried and wept my way through it years ago as a young mom with many challenges I struggled to meet, but it helped me so very much because I'm "Little Much Afraid"!
May the Lord bless you, whoever might read this, and may you step out in faith to trust Him to leave the "I-Can-Not" Pit.
