Single
parenting and tragedy caused me to put my music ministry on hold for
23 years. Although I continued to serve in various capacities in
local churches by playing piano/keyboard and singing as part of the
worship team, I did not have the time or energy to devote to
practicing, concerts, or songwriting. It wasn’t until a year ago,
while in the process of completing my MA Degree in Curriculum and
Instruction, that I began to feel the calling of God to return to
ministry. After much prayer, and with the encouragement of my
children, I made the decision to pursue the calling of God on my life
once more. It was then that the Lord reminded me of my friend Janet
Charleen. Janet and I met at the Christian Artists Seminar in the
Rockies 13 years ago. After attending a session held by Incubator
Creative Group, Janet decided to begin the audition process with
Incubator. I recall her calling me and the conversations that
followed. I lost touch with Janet after hurricane Katrina but felt
led to search for her on the Incubator Website. I found Janet but I
also began exploring the Incubator website. It was then that I
decided to check into the audition process myself.
The
audition process was lengthy and very involved. Part of the audition
process involved viewing a series of videos. As I listened to these
videos, I found myself crying, laughing and having, as the company
calls them, several “Aha Moments”. In addition to the videos
there was a lot of required reading. For years I had battled
feelings of guilt and unworthiness over failures in my life. As I
began to work through the material in the book The Search for
Significance, by John McGee the Lord began to reveal truth to me.
Painful things which I had buried for years began to resurface and as
I faced these things within the safe and nurturing environment of my
Incubator family I began to let go of the lies the enemy had used to
keep me paralyzed. Waves of healing began to wash over my soul which
in turn began to overflow into the lives of my children and those
around me. The material and assignments at times were overwhelming
however, the desire to have God change me and use me to make a
difference in the lives of others was greater.
The
gifts and calling of God are without repentance, and in His perfect
timing he chose to resurrect the vision I had let die and set aside
so many years ago. Though I have made many mistakes in my lifetime I
thank God that He never gave up on me. Through the things I have
suffered personally, and the things my children have gone through,
God has refined me. The things the enemy meant to use for my
destruction are the very things the Lord has used to prepare me for
ministry.
My
relationship with Incubator has provided accountability and a
catalyst for spiritual growth and transformation. I feel blessed and
honored to be a part of this wonderful company.
If
I could sum up my hopes and desires for this ministry it would be to
share with others the truth I found in Isaiah 44:22:“I have swept
away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the
morning mist. Oh return to me, for I have paid the price to set you
free.”
God
is no respecter of persons, what He did for me He WILL do for you.
Are you bound by guilt? Come to Him, He desires to set you free so
you can be all He has called you to be!!
Blessings!!
Rita
