This weekend I had an incredible lesson in following your dreams and the tuggings of your heart. The things that will never leave you no matter how much time goes by — because God put them there! Lessons in Faith!
Now this doesn’t mean take it for granted and ‘one day’ do something about it. What it means is that if the calling isn’t going away, instead of running in fear of it, follow your heart and take the NEXT STEP. That’s all you’re responsible for! God will do the rest and lead you on your step after that.
So in my case, the calling had always been to pursue something in the entertainment industry, either with singing or modeling, and two different times when I was younger I had been in contact with modeling agencies. But for various reasons it wasn’t the right timing.
As I grew, I was always comfortable performing or being on stage, singing, dancing, speaking etc. Despite some nerves here and there, it always felt very natural and I was good at it!
Enter adulthood: Pursuing my education to the doctorate level, opening my own businesses and speaking locally. I even hosted my own Health&Hope women’s 1-day event.
But the call to the bigger stage and greater influence has always been beneath it all.
Finally, a month or two ago, I could resist the urge no longer. I knew that I had to ‘scratch the itch’ or it would never be satisfied. I looked into Christian singing auditions and came upon a local audition in Pasadena (about 2 hours north of San Diego) for Actors, Models and Talent for Christ (AMTC). This was it!! This was my opportunity to at least follow that tug, no matter the outcome. I signed up to audition and the picture below was taken this past Saturday.
What was so interesting about the whole experience, was that the second I got past my ‘jitters’ and nervousness and pushed the CONFIRM button to secure my spot online, I was filled with instant peace. I literally had no nervousness or anxiety leading up to, or on the day of the event!!
I knew God was in control at this point, and I just had to be obedient. And because I was following what I felt was a call from Him, not driven by selfish desires or greed or pride, I felt completely at ease ever since.
So the day of the audition comes, and you can see I’m #537 that day, and auditioned in front of at least 500 people in my grouping, and I’m estimating there were at least 2000 people auditioning that day.
As it turns out, I was FIRST in my grouping of people to audition, and THEN the nerves set in that I had a hard time controlling. That being said, they had me read a part (which I wasn’t prepared to do any ‘acting’) and then sing what I had prepared. By the time I went to sing, I couldn’t control my nervous system and wasn’t able to be as strong in my vocal control as I had practiced, so I wasn’t proud of the performance. ‘Oh well!’ I thought., ‘At least I did it and that’s all that matters.’
I was told you would either receive a call-back the following day between 9am-3pm or a ‘thanks but no thanks’ email.
The day goes by and my husband and I enjoyed a beautiful day by the ocean with friends. I tried not to be anxious as I awaited the call or the email. Finally at around 1pm we decided to start driving home toward San Diego. I’m feeling at ease that I hadn’t received a call because I knew it didn’t go as well as I had wanted.
‘No harm done. Maybe I was to do this just to encourage others to follow their dreams, regardless of the outcome. If that’s the case, it was still worth it.’
Then at 2:18pm I got the call!! They welcomed me back to be in 3 different categories: acting, singing and modeling. I have until the end of February to make my decision if I want to move forward, but the moral of the story is, that if God is in it, it doesn’t matter how you ‘perform.’ God’s favor will be upon you beyond your understanding or comprehension.
I hope this encourages and inspires you. You will have the PEACE in your heart that you desire, when you finally say YES to God’s call. Let Him be in control, as He is so much bigger and more capable to fulfill your dreams than you ever can be on your own. 🙂
Your sister in Christ,
~Dr. Melody
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Have you ever felt like that? When you know God is at work and BIG things are happening but you feel even CRAZIER than normal?!
That’s where I’ve been lately. So many things changing. God working in me and on me in so many ways: Business. Identity. Purpose. Health. Self Esteem. Trust. Reliance. Faith. Whew!
When so much is changing all at once, you’re bound to feel more frazzled. In my case I’ve been implementing so many new habits, reading new books, studying the Bible more, getting ongoing coaching for business and personal development and opening myself up to His guidance and what he really wants from my life, what direction He wants me to go, it can feel like your brain is in a jumble and your heart is unsettled.
But it’s all part of the process.
THIS is truly when faith and trust come in. When it’s time to take it from concept to action.
But we can always rely on God’s promises. For God does not make a promise He does not keep. No matter who you are, what your past is or what you’re going through, God is faithful. The fullest embodiment of the word that no human could ever match (besides Jesus of course.) 😉
“TRUST in the Lord with ALL of your heart. Lean NOT on your own understanding. In ALL your ways, acknowledge Him, and He WILL direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6
I just finished reading an incredible little book that I highly recommend all about digging into the timeless wisdom of King Solomon and the book of Proverbs. You can check it out here.
It’s called The Richest Man Who Ever Lived: King Solomon’s Secrets to Success, Wealth, and Happiness. by Steven K. Scott. It has fully spurred me on into committing to an in-depth study of Proverbs, deeper than he goes in the book. But the book is definitely the “highlights.” You can snag it on Amazon here if you like (affiliate link).
In the coming weeks and months you will begin to see the fruit of the seeds God is planting inside me. And of course the goal to be sharing and inspiring you and others by how and where He leads me. I will keep you updated for sure!
Where has God been working in your life? Where are you allowing Him to come in and literally change you from the inside-out? It’s not always easy, but the reward is always guaranteed.
I’d love to hear more and love to pray for you and as the process unfolds.
After all, we’re all on this crazy journey of life together! <3
Your sister in Christ,
~Dr. Melody
P.S. If you’re not where you want to be, in any area of your life, and you’re knowing you need support and encouragement, schedule a Custom Strategy Session with me and let’s get you moving on the path you know God wants for your life.
I’d be honored to be a part of that journey. Schedule here.
It may sound cliche’, but do you have an Attitude of Gratitude? I didn’t!
I’m finally home in San Diego after a week of busy traveling and I went back to back from 4 days in Texas for a personal growth conference, to 4 days in New Mexico caring for my niece and nephew while my sister was away for business. To say this past week has been a whirlwind, would be an understatement!
While at my conference the Holy Spirit revealed to me deep-seeded roots of things I’ve been stubbornly holding onto or blocking myself from feeling the fullness of the goodness of God and all that He wants for each of our lives.
I came to have some life-changing realizations that I think you might relate to as well:
- I have not been ALLOWING myself to receive good things. In fact, I have been RESISTING and blocking them in many areas because of deep feelings of unworthiness.
- I have unresolved issues of PRIDE and self-sufficiency that have gone undiagnosed and therefore not addressed.
- I have NOT been practicing a FULL Attitude of Gratitude for all the things God has given me and done for me, and I’ve taken many things for granted.
- When the Holy Spirit reveals things to you that you’d been in denial about, or not able to see them for the truth of what they are, it’s both liberating and scary. Now you’re faced with the undeniable fact that you MUST allow God to begin working in these areas if you want to receive God’s true JOY and Peace—but that’s not always easy!
We’ve become used to our old way of thinking. Those old habits and routines that perpetuated our negative thoughts, emotions and behaviors.
But the good news is WE ARE ADAPTABLE! God gave us the ability to change!
He made our brains pliable and literally adaptable (called brain plasticity) which allows us to not only change or heal the old, but actively create and mold the new!
What grace! What a gift! What a miracle!!
So let’s talk about HOW to change all of that.
How to adapt an Attitude of Gratitude that will allow us to experience deeper more intimate relationship with God, and can be cultivated and grown into a full life-changing experience of the fullness of joy that God created us to experience.
How to cultivate more JOY into your life:
- Start a daily written practice of what you are grateful for, on a daily basis. (I prefer nightly journaling just before bed to reflect and analyze your day.)
- Start your morning with prayer, asking God to open your heart and mind to see all of the things you can be grateful for that day.
- Begin a Bible study on Gratitude. Either a formal study, or do a google search on verses about gratitude that you can read, study and begin to memorize.
- Pray before every meal, no exceptions. Thanking God for what you’re about to eat, the miracle of convenience you experienced to have your meal before you, and the hands and processes that had taken place to get each item now resting on your plate.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to show and reveal to you ways in which you are blocking or blinding yourself from being grateful and what spirits of negativity or pessimism are creeping into your mind and destroying your experience of true joy. Rebuke them in Jesus’ name!
There is power in the name of Jesus!
His name has been given authority over every other name (Ephesians 1:18-23).
Daughter of the King, do not dismiss the power that Jesus died to give you!
Use it to it’s full capacity over negativity, pessimism, doubt, evil, darkness and the enemy of your soul.
Jesus has already defeated Satan so that we can be free from any sin that entangles. Plead the blood of Jesus over your life!
>> I’d love to hear how you’re planning to begin cultivating a culture of Gratitude and what realizations you may have had that are holding you back. Praying for you that the Holy Spirit will reveal truth to you and that you will have a deepening relationship with the Creator of the Universe, our Heavenly Father.
Your sister in Christ,
~Dr. Melody
P.S. If you’re needing additional help or “another pair of eyes” to help you examine what might be blocking or holding you back, I’m here for you. My mission to love others and help them grow in their calling and experience the fullness of the love of Christ is my greatest desire. I’d love to be that help for you.
Schedule a 90 minute Custom Strategy Session with me here.
