The call to say “Yes”
By Alizabeth Massing on October 5th, 2016
God calls to us and we answer, but sometimes our answer isn’t right away the one He’s looking for. Even though God always has good things in store for our lives we can be hesitant to walk in the way He has called us. Ultimately we must come to the realization that obedience is best, and surrendering our all leads us straight into the Father’s open arms of freedom. Alizabeth Massing knows this personally, here is her testimony…
For me, Living Hope Church has become so much more than a congregation to be considered a member of. The Living Hope Church congregation has become my family. I began attending LHC two years ago with my husband and son after being invited by one of the Hamsher’ daughters to a Wednesday night service where they were serving pizza. I had only been living in Florida for around 6 months so I was eager to come to the service and meet new people. My husband and I had been having a hard time finding a church where we felt a nice fit, but when we walked in that night I knew in my heart that this church was different. There was a feeling of connection that I had been missing everywhere else we previously tried. We returned the next Sunday and during service the Lord started pressing me about asking to join the worship team. I had not sung in over 10 years, so my initial response was a little bit of laughter and a big, “NO, Thank you.” We returned again the next week, and yet again during service I felt in my heart that I was supposed to ask to join worship. Again, I fought it and said no. This time, however, the feeling followed me home.
All week long I fought with myself about joining and whether or not I was good enough, or If I was actually supposed to do it and wasn’t just fooling myself. So the next Sunday I walked in and on the bulletin was a bible verse about serving the church and getting involved. I was immediately convicted, but it didn’t stop there. Before worship began, the slideshow before service was advertising that they needed volunteers for the worship team and to see the leaders for more details. I reluctantly gave in and decided to ask about joining after service. I was a nervous wreck! I just knew I would be turned down. However, when I talked to the leaders and let them know I was interested in offering up my vocals, they were more than accepting. They also let me know that the worship team was different than just being in a band and singing, and that it requires relationship with Jesus because we would be leading people into His presence. So, they recommended a few Youtube videos from Hillsong and Bethel for me to look into to help me get the idea of what my position was going to be.
When I got home that evening I started out with videos from Darlene Zschech. She was talking about Jesus in a way I had never heard of. She talked about Jesus like he was her very best friend, and I realized I had no what she was talking about. I was saved, and had a history of church but had never heard of or experienced the Holy Spirit for myself. In the video, Darlene said, “If you want more of God you need to get down on your face and tell him you want more. Tell him you want to experience him.” I very innocently and meekly said, “Jesus, I have no idea what I’m doing or what any of this means, but I want to be able to talk about you the way that she does.” and I climbed onto the carpet with my face flat on the ground and said, “I want more of you, God.” Honestly, at first nothing happened except that I felt relieved. After a couple minutes I got up and continued watching videos and doing my nails when Kim Walker, from Bethel, got on and started talking about her testimony. When she spoke something happened to me and this presence filled my house and I couldn’t stand or talk. I collapsed to the ground and sobbed as I had this encounter with the Holy Spirit and God’s love. I suddenly realized God’s love for me in a tangible way. My eyes and mind were wiped clean as if I had been living my life with these muddy glasses on my face and God just said, “Here, let me help you with those,” and he cleaned them off so that for the first time I could see and understand things. I understood what Darlene was talking about. I felt the things Kim walker sang about. The lyrics and bible verses and everything at church was clear to me and resounded deep into my heart.
I have never been the same after that day and the hunger that was given to me that day of knowing who God is lead me to find my calling on my life and helped me realize my dream of someday being a professional worship leader. Since then, I have had numerous encounters and prophesies spoken over me and my family and have come to love and depend on these people as if they were my very own family. And to think how different everything would have turned out had I not come to LHC for Wednesday night pizza.
