Chosen
First, for those who have been commenting on these blog posts – thank you! I read each and every comment, sometimes multiple times, and they are so inspiring and uplifting to me. I probably won’t get in the habit of “liking them” or replying a whole lot, but just know your kind, encouraging voices are being heard.
For about 5 years, I was privileged to be on staff as the Worship Minister at the Church at Woodbine in Nashville. Our church was one of 8 campuses affiliated with Brentwood Baptist Church, and every two weeks each of the campus WL’s would gather together for a time of sharing (What new songs are you introducing? What challenges/victories are you experiencing?), a time of teaching (pastors or guest speakers), and of course, a sweet time of prayer together. I treasured those Tuesday afternoons and grew from them.
One week, our guest speaker brought up an interesting concept I had never thought of in all of my years as a believer (I asked Jesus in my heart at age 7). He shared his belief that each of us have a “core lie” inside us – something the enemy knows he can use to discourage, confuse, or frustrate us. He gave the example of his own story, explaining that he was neglected and abused as a child, and that affected him as adult by making him feel “forgotten” or “left out”. This would spill into his ministry and was something he actively had to fight against. Hearing this from an amazing pastor/communicator was powerful and falls under the category of “you never know what someone is experiencing”. But this man went on to say, “One day I was praying about this, and the Lord showed me that He does not, and has never seen me as being forgotten or left out. In fact, He had a totally different word to describe who I was in Him. That word was “Seen”.
After this testimonial, this pastor encouraged us to think through what core lie we might deal with and ask the Lord to show us how HE sees us, and what HE calls us.
It didn’t take me long to uncover what I knew the enemy had been speaking to my heart for many years. Before I reveal this to you, let me say that I have been such a blessed woman to have had the incredible opportunities to use music as a tool for ministry through the years. My parents named me Melodie (they were both musicians) and I’ve told people that it’s a good thing I could carry a tune! Through my life, the Lord has opened doors that I never could have seen coming and used me in ways beyond my wildest dreams.
But through these years, the lie I would often hear was, “You’re really not that good of a singer. Someday, everyone is going to realize it. You’ll be found out.” These thoughts would hit me in moments of pressure (certain concerts or recording sessions) but also in times I couldn’t have ever predicted. I learned to quote scripture (“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”, “Whatever is true, noble, right, pure . . . think on these things”), put on the armor, pray . . . and the Lord was always an ever-present help in trouble.
So the lie was identified. Now Lord, how do YOU see me? What is the name, or the word that can combat those thoughts?
The word that came to mind was “Chosen”. At first, I had to ponder this, but after a few minutes, it made so much sense. If God had chosen me for all of the responsibilities and opportunities He has allowed me to experience, then He also had equipped me. “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” (John 15:16).
Chosen.
The other day, a friend of mine texted and said she was struggling with my diagnosis. She felt like I was being cheated. And the Lord spoke to her heart and said, Mel isn’t cheated. She’s chosen. Wow! This friend had no clue of what this word meant to me. And out of all of the words God could have put in her heart . . . Chosen. When I read her note, it brought me to such a full-circle place.
This is the hard part to type, but it’s truth: If I believe in the sovereignty of God (which I do), and if I know His ways are not always our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), I also must believe that He has a significant plan to use all of this for His glory. It’s not a mistake. Not an oversight from my Heavenly Father. I’m not being cheated, I’ve been chosen, and my prayer is that the Lord will be glorified as Dick and I run towards this battle intentionally and equipped to do so.
“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)
21 Comments
Nancy Sullivan
What a powerful perspective you are choosing to focus on as you go through this season. Your testimony is already an example of how God is using your diagnosis. Praying still. Believing.
Patrick Malone
I pray for the journey you & Dick will be going through. It was the best & worst time of our life. We never felt cheated. God had a plan & was fulfilling it. We both accepted and worshiped during these times.we still do. I don’t know how to do this
Nancy Anders
Chosen! A powerful Word. This spoke to me to really ponder as I deal with my chronic pain. Thank you for sharing your heart to help see behind a tough door into a room of where Faith really gets tested.
We lock arms with you as we keep believing for you. May you feel encouraged as you touch so many during this difficult journey.
You are so loved~as always. Your love in Him is so contagious!!!! 🙌❤️✝️
Kim Scruggs
Thank you for sharing so transparently. You have been chosen for many things in your life, but I believe they were all preparing you for such a time is this. You have a platform for Christ, to bring glory to His name, to so many who are experiencing some kind of “it’s not fair” situation. The perspective of being not only chosen but EQUIPPED changes everything. We continue to pray for you and believe in the sovereignty of our gracious God! We love you!
Kim Walker
We were all chosen to be your choir at Woodbine and I think of those days often. There is no doubt in my mind our sweet choir is praying for you now just like we prayed for many during those days. I am so thankful to be able to pray for you. Love you, Mel!❤️
Rodney Taylor
I just caught up on all your blog entries. Thank you for keeping us informed. I feel moved to pray for you at this point, so please allow me to write as I pray.
Loving and mighty God,
We cry out to You now for Mel, Your beloved child, who is facing the fierce battle of cancer and the exhausting road of chemotherapy. You see every tear she has shed, every moment of fear, every ache in her body—and still You hold her close. Lord, be her refuge and her strength right now.
Pour Your healing power into her body. Where treatment brings weakness, bring renewal. Where pain and nausea press in, speak Your peace. Where her spirit grows weary, breathe fresh life and courage into her soul. Wrap her in Your presence so completely that she knows, beyond doubt, that You are with her and will not let her go.
Father, guide the hands and minds of her doctors and nurses. Let every treatment work with purpose and mercy. Bless the medicines meant to fight this disease, and let them do their work without overwhelming her body. We ask boldly for healing, trusting that You are able to do far more than we can ask or imagine.
When fear whispers and hope feels fragile, remind her that she belongs to You. Let Your promises rise louder than her pain.
Surround her with Your peace, steady her heart with Your love, and let her rest in the assurance that nothing—nothing at all—can separate her from You.
We place her life in Your strong and tender hands, believing that You are faithful, that You are present, and that You are still the God who heals, restores, and redeems. In the powerful name of Jesus we pray.
Amen.
Libby White
Oh Mel, you are truly Chosen! Just let me tell you how God used you in my life. When you came to First Baptist, Columbia and filled in as our Worship Leader you were such a wonderful Christian influence for our Church. But most of all you and Dick were such a great influence for my deceased husband Corky. You and Dick took him under your wings and taught him more about music and also how to use that gift for Christ. You and Dick meant so much to him and he talked about it all the time. And now you are not wasting this illness on yourself, but you are being such a witness for Christ. Thank you for letting your light shine in darkness!
cyndi
Having come from a childhood of verbal abuse, I understand those voices. I also struggle with believing people want me to be around. God has had to pull me along in my calling because of my insecurity. This blog has encouraged me to understand that I am seen by Him. Thank you so much for sharing. I never knew this about you.
Marlene E Davis
God chose you for a reason. You and all of your family and friends may not see the reason until God is ready to reveal it. I know God will use this for His glory. Bless you for being so open and letting us in. Will continue to lift you and your family up. Love you all.
Jerry Anderlik
Absolutely spot on, my friend.
Peggy Hughes
Oh, sweet Mel. Yes, our God is sovereign, and we are most aware of this when big things happen in our lives. Sadly, we most often acknowledge His sovereignty when things go well for us. When things are hard, how many times have we been guilty of asking, “Why, Lord?” Jesse and I have not asked why in this past year of suffering, and I’m thankful you’re embracing this as God’s working in your life. Asking why does nothing but distance us from God. That’s the last thing we need in the hard times. We love you so much, and God is using these blogs as much as He ever used your music. They are so beautifully written.💗
Charmaine Huey
I remember one of those Sunday evening singings we had at Woodbine and especially one evening when you gave us a hymnal tutorial so to speak about old hymns and that many hymn texts could be sung to different tunes and also how many of the early hymnals were text only—no music notes! They would sing these words to the different and probaby few tunes passed on to them I suppose. I have my Grandmother’s hymnal and cherish it! You were chosen to share that with us so we could appreciate the heritage even more. We are chosen in the big moments and the little moments as we heed His voice. I am praying you will be singing interchangeable words and tunes that He may supply for your uplifting! Praying for strength in your journey. Big hugs and big love!
Joyce Ciotta Ciotta
Mel, this is exactly how Robert felt and I feel as well. God has considered you faithful and has given you the important role of having your testimony magnified by the megaphone of cancer. Already God has shown how you are uniquely gifted to make God famous. If you ever wondered, what do you have for me to do next? This is it! You are doing great! In God’s family, no one fights alone and we are all praying for you! THANKYOU for your honest and heartfelt posts.
JoAnna Beddingfield
Love your heart and your vulnerability. We all have so much to learn on this journey, and I’m grateful you are sharing your lessons. Love you!
Dar Hensley
You have incredible insights and I appreciate you sharing while you are walking thru this trial. Your faith and music has brought hope to so many. Now your faith that has been built on the rock is leading you higher and you are taking us with you. The Lord will give you a new song to sing just as the scriptures promise. Praying you thru each day for healing and restoration according to Jeremiah 30:17. Blessings, love and strength for the journey!
Cindy Blevins
Knowing this story, it hit me even harder the second time around. What a mighty God to speak to each of us with scripture that comforts and lifts us up. Mel, you have been chosen for this time and are already speaking deeply to others. I thank you for thank and Will daily walk into battle with whatever you need. Love you dearly!
Denise Smith
Thank you for turning your journey into something we can all use as we move forward in our own. This gives me a lot to think about, it will be my heart sermon for the day. I hope your day goes smoothly, with as little side effects as possible–truly a day of comfort, physically and emotionally.
Karla Strawser
So good Mel. It feels wrong of me to say this, but I’m learning so much from YOU in these blogs. What an inspiration you are and in a time that you could give in to sadness or fear. But God is using you in so many ways and your strength is palpable. I was given the lie that God couldn’t forgive me of my sins. But He has shown himself over and over to me and I constantly have to push that lie out and allow the sweetness of the Father to seep in to every breath I take. Praying for you every day and look forward to your testimony of total healing. Love you.
Jeffrey Chow
A good friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer. In the hospital she was such an encouragement to the staff and other patients that they would come to her for prayer. God can use you wherever you are in any situation.
It’s not so much if you have a good voice or not (and you do), it’s how God uses you in whatever situation you are in. I’ve taken a choir out to sing and we sounded really good. Nothing. We we were relying on our own strength and ability. Another time we sounded terrible, but God blessed.
You are a blessing. Continue to be so.
Kathi Lemons
Dear Mel:
Even before we met, your music inspired us and blessed us. We sang Undivided, the Reason we Sing and performed O Sifuni Mungu in several groups. There are too many favorites to note, but I wanted you to know how much you touched our hearts. Keith and I will be praying for you and Dick and for God’s peace and healing Hand to be on you. With much love.
Linda Murphy
Mel,
Besides music, God has also blessed you with your spoken (or written) words to inspire and challenge my heart. Praying for you and know God is going to use this journey to continue challenging and blessing others. Thanks for sharing your heart. ❤️ Amen 🙏