The Comfort Zone

A few months ago, I received a phone call from the music editor of one of our national newspapers, asking if I would be interested in writing music reviews -- in Swedish. I laughed involuntarily, because up until that point, I had never written anything in Swedish except short text messages and the occasional e-mail. To my mind, the proposition sounded rather ludicrous. I explained all this as cordially as I could, but the editor wasn't so easily deterred, so I promised to sleep on it and give an answer in a couple of days.

My answer ended up being a somewhat lukewarm, ¨I could give this a try, but I am really not sure if I am going to be any good at it.¨ Looking back, that answer reflected my fears all-too-accurately, but it was hard to pinpoint, even for myself, what exactly I was so terribly afraid of. I then realized my biggest struggle was going outside of my comfort zone and doing something completely new, and of which I actually knew very little about. The very thought that failure could well be possible was not very appealing to me, but the only way I was going to know for sure was to try.

Let's face it -- there is something very comforting in the familiar. Whether it is a well-worn pair of jeans, a favourite breakfast cereal or chilling with your best childhood friend, we tend to gravitate towards that which we know. Doing something new is scary and venturing into the unknown is equally terrifying, so most of us stay within well-traveled waters.

Since I have moved countries several times, learned a couple of foreign languages and succeeded in adjusting to a new culture, I actually get asked pretty often how I dared to step into the unknown. I gave the question some thought, and wrote down a few things I try to implement when going outside of my comfort zone:

1. Know yourself. Analyze your strengths and weaknesses so that you can make informed decisions when leaving the safety of what you know. If you struggle working with little kids, but love the elderly, then you want to keep this in mind when job hunting. This knowledge can also help you compensate for any weaknesses -- for example, I know I am not very good at getting certain administrative tasks done which involve going to an unfamiliar place. Recently, I wanted to be sure I would vote in the governmental elections, so I asked to meet up with a friend, who ensured that we both voted. And yes, I know this doesn't sound very grown-up of me, but the point here is that I voted!

2. Ask for advice. When I need to make larger decisions in my life, I often ask people who know me for their opinion. I usually try to choose people who care about me, are well aware of my strengths and weaknesses, and/or have experience in making similar decisions. At the end of the day, the choice to venture into unknown territory is my own, but it helps to discuss it with others and get another perspective.

3. Break it down. Sometimes a task might feel totally overwhelming (such as moving to another country!) and that feeling can turn to fear. However, writing a list of things, along with a corresponding timeline usually helps me to see that not everything needs to be done right away and that smaller goals are indeed manageable. The other advantage to having a list is that it minimizes the chances of inadvertently forgetting to do something!

4. Think outside of the box. There is nothing wrong with re-sizing your comfort zone by doing things a bit differently! A friend of mine once confessed that she had been set up on a blind date, but was too terrified to accept -- my solution was to turn it into a double-date that I also got to take part in, and it ended up being a really enjoyable evening!

5. Be a lifelong learner. If we constantly challenge ourselves to do things that are outside of our normal routine, we become accustomed to it. Whether it is a new language, new foods, a new travel destination, a new hobby, or a new hairdo, we can find small ways to expand our horizons, so that when a larger life transition comes our way, we are in the habit of tackling the unknown.

5. Cultivate a healthy attitude towards failure. I realize almost everyone is afraid of rejection and we try to avoid situations in which we might fail by staying within the safety of known territory. However, the world is full of examples of successful people who were not recognized until much later in life. Realize that your identity is not in what you do, but in who you are.

Finally, remember that we have differing comfort zones -- for me, navigating my way around an unfamiliar city is totally outside of my comfort zone, but calling up a new acquaintance and inviting them over for tea isn't. Be gracious to yourself, breathe, and then dare to say yes to the world outside of the comfort zone. 

Please feel free to add to my list by writing in the comments below!

10 Helpful Tips for Worship Leaders

This brief article was the result of an interview with Nelli Heinimo, whom I had the pleasure of meeting one Sunday when visiting a local congregation.  It first appeared in Finnish in Ruut and has been translated into English by my longtime friend and fellow musician, Hannu Ala.

Many thanks to both Nelli and Hannu, and to the countless number of worshippers I have had the pleasure of serving with over the years.  Thank you for your prayers, support, patience, knowledge and wisdom.

If you think I have forgotten something very important, feel free to write it in the comments below!

10 Helpful Tips for Worship Leaders

1. Your relationship with God should always be number one. Take time to worship and pray at home and come to church to receive and be with God even when you are not serving.

2. Develop your musical skills.  A few instrumental or singing lessons can go a long way.  You should have reasonable singing proficiency and preferably, ability in at least one instrument.  Music theory knowledge is also a big plus.

3. Church music doesn’t have to be professional.  In fact, I don’t think God really cares if the music isn’t flawless.  However, too many mistakes might distract people from focusing on Jesus.

4. Worship should never be a performance. Regardless of how big or small a meeting or event is, keep in mind that you are worshipping an Audience of One.

5. A worship team is not unlike a mini-congregation, led by the worship leader. Take an active role in conflict resolution and remind the team who you are serving and why.  Remember to also pray for your team.

6. Spiritual leadership is difficult if you don’t know your Bible.  Spend time studying it.

7. Even though you may receive invitations to visit different churches, it’s important to be rooted in your home congregation and to grow in your calling as a worship leader.  Honour your church leaders and collaborate with them.

8. Keep your eyes open when leading.  This way, you can see what God is doing in the congregation, and you can communicate with the band.

9. It’s helpful to realise that a worshipper is operating on a spiritual battlefield. The devil doesn’t want us to worship God.  Pray unceasingly!

10. There is a real need for worship leaders!  If God has put this on your heart, He will equip you.

10 tips till lovsångsledaren

Nelli Heinimo, Ruut-lehti
Svensk översättning Johanna Perret

Skulle du vilja ha en ansvarsuppgift inom lovsång i din församling? Fiona Chow delar här sina tips till lovsångsledare.

Fiona Chow har flera års erfarenhet av att leda musik i flera olika slags församlingar. Hon vill uppmuntra och inspirera finländare att prisa Gud. Här är Fionas tips till alla dem som upplever sig kallade att tjäna församlingen som musikansvariga, både anställda och frivilliga.

1. Håll alltid din relation till Gud på första plats.  Spendera tid ensam hemma för att tillbe, och gå med jämna mellanrum till församlingens möten bara för att ta emot och vara med Gud.
2. Utveckla ditt kunnande och satsa på det. Redan några sång- eller spellektioner kan ge mycket. Du borde ha en bra grund i sång och något instrument. Teorikunskaper är också till hjälp.
3. Gudstjänstmusiken behöver trots det inte vara professionell. Gud bryr sig knappast ifall musiken inte alltid flödar obehindrat. Men människornas upplevelse påverkas nog ifall musiken är väldigt hackig.
4. Lovsång borde aldrig vara ett uppträdande. Oberoende hur stor tillställningen är, kom ihåg att den verkliga publiken är endast Gud.
5. Musikteamet är som en liten församling som lovsångsledaren lotsar. Våga ta rollen som konfliktlösare, och påminn teamet under pågående konflikt varför och för vem ni gör detta. Kom också ihåg att be för ditt team.
6. Andligt ledarskap är svårt om du inte känner Bibeln väl. Använd alltså tid till att umgås med den.
7. Även om du åker runt och leder lovsång på olika ställen, är det viktigt att du rotas i din hemförsamling. Sök uppmuntran och skolning för din uppgift där. Respektera din församlings ledare och samarbeta med dem.
8. Håll ögonen öppna då du leder lovsång. Då ser du vad som händer i församlingen och kan kommunicera med bandet.
9. Det är bra att vara medveten om att lovsångaren fungerar på ett andligt stridsfält. Fienden vill inte att vi tillber Gud.
10.  Lovsångsledare behövs! Om Gud har satt på ditt hjärta att leda lovsång, kommer han också att lära dig hur.

My first experience with the Swedish language....

Although it is hard to believe, seven years ago, I couldn't speak a word of Swedish.  However, growing up in the Vancouver Bach Children's Chorus, I remember we sang a folksong in Swedish.  I was probably about twelve at the time, Diane Loomer was the conductor, and I just assumed the song was from Sweden.  It would not be until 2010, during my first visit to Israel, that I learned ¨vem kan segla¨ actually originates from Åland, an autonomous group of islands belonging to Finland and where the primary language is Swedish.   I have visited Åland at least three times and think it is pretty neat that my journey into learning Swedish began with a song from such a beautiful place.

Earlier this summer, we attended a concert presented by the EuroChoir, approximately forty singers from sixteen countries who come together for a week of rehearsals and performances in a different city annually.  This year, they happened to be in Helsinki -- and they sang several songs from Finland, including ¨vem kan segla.¨  Here is a video from that concert and even though this arrangement is a LOT more complicated than the one we sang in the VBCC when I was a kid, it brought me on a trip down memory lane and reminded me how much those early days of singing in a children's choir has impacted my life to this day.

https://lyricstranslate.com/en/vem-kan-segla-who-can-sail.html

Who can sail without wind,

Who can row without oars,

Who can part from their friend

Without shedding tears?

https://lyricstranslate.com/en/vem-kan-segla-who-can-sail.html

Who can sail without wind,

Who can row without oars,

Who can part from their friend

Without shedding tears?

I can sail without wind,

I can row without oars,

But I can't part from my friend

Without shedding tears.Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Here is an English translation:

Who can sail without wind?
Who can row without oars?
Who can part from their friend
Without shedding tears?

I can sail without wind,
I can row without oars,
But I can't part from my friend
Without shedding tears.

Thankfulness

     This post is about some things I am sincerely thankful for this week.  They may not seem big -- in fact, they may sound pretty trivial to some of you, but they are important to me.  One of my goals has been to write down what I am thankful for on a more regular basis, or at least to be more conscious of those day-to-day things the Lord organizes to make my life just so much more pleasant.

    Thankfulness #1.  A couple of days ago I randomly sent a message to a friend, asking what she was doing next Monday.  She immediately recalled I had said I have out-of-town guests and asked if I needed a car for something.  She then continued to say she could try to ask for the day off, or she could request a shift if she knew in advance when I might need her and the car.  It warmed my heart that someone would try to re-arrange their entire schedule just to drive me somewhere. :)

    Thankfulness #2.  I have been down with a cold all week.  Being the optimist that I am, I thought it would blow over faster, but it is dragging on (the colder temperatures also don't help).  I planned our Sunday worship lineup and was prepared to go to practise tonight, but last night, I realized I was in no shape to sing or lead a rehearsal.  I messaged a couple of my team members, one of whom I knew was planning on taking the week off, and they immediately said -- no, you should stay home and rest, we will take care of everything!  Needless to say, I am truly thankful for the graciousness and maturity my team exhibits.  They are the best!

     Thankfulness #3.  I hosted my cell group a couple of days ago, but because I have had a cold, I didn't have the energy or inspiration to prepare any interesting snacks (I often do!).  I also didn't ask anyone to bring anything either!  I was pleasantly surprised when they came to the door and we had plenty of snacks.  The best part was someone had brought not one, but TWO packages of raspberries and I absolutely LOVE raspberries, but don't always find them in my local supermarket.  I had the leftovers for breakfast and felt truly thankful that the Lord would care about these sorts of seemingly insignificant details.

     What are some things that YOU are thankful for this week?   How has God been showing you His love daily?  Feel free to comment below, or start your own list. :)