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  Being Nowhere Rather Than Anywhere! Based in Delaware, Russell Delegation is an outreach ministry of Simpson UM Church. The choir tours extensively and is renowned for their music ministry, having recently released their sophomore project on Nu Beginning Muzicka, titled What Would Russell Do? (see album review). The group is under the joint leadership of Mark A. Smith and Elder Hayward Hamilton. As the choir's chaplain and spiritual advisor, Hamilton offers up the Word in this segment of GospelFlava.com's continuing series of online teachings. 
In this day and time, some of us are frantically trying to find our places socially, physically, mentally, and spiritually. We are like sheep that have been led away from their Shepherd. The Apostle Paul states in Ephesians 4:14: "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." Whether it be by the pimp on the corner, the corrupt schoolmate, the "church-goer", or the compromising pastor; we have all have been challenged concerning whom we really are!In the process of defining our destinies then, we must not only search where we are going, but where we are. We must understand that the "mix" of life, the good with the bad, has prepared the greatest testimony that we could ever have. Paul says in Romans 8:18; "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us." Then the question rises: Where am I? Some would respond: "Nowhere". This may be because feel inadequate, incapable and insecure. It is a place of loneliness and solitude. Furthermore, others gauge where they desire to be by the car their friends drive, the clothes their friends wear, and feelings other feel. The question arises again: Where am I? Others would respond: "Not anywhere". Usually you'll hear them saying phrases like, "What do you think?" "How does this look?", or "Whatever you say is fine with me!" They are in a place of influence and reliability on their surroundings. They have no identity, because they are just....anywhere. Wherever you go, I'll go! Whatever you say, I'll say! The definition of nowhere is "not anywhere", or "an insignificant place". Anywhere means "to, in, or at any place" or "to any extent or degree". I liken this position to the passage of scripture found in James 1:8— "A doubled-minded man is unstable in all his ways." People who find themselves in this position cling to anything convenient or settle for less. Getting in convenient relationships/marriages, seeking social acceptance, changing one's mind based on the opinion of others are a few ways to describe the "anywhere" position. While being in a "nowhere" position in your life sounds negative, it is actually positive. God deals with us one-on-one. We often crowd God out by acquiring new friends, jobs, and responsibilities. This causes the frequency of communication between you and God to experience technical difficulty. Oft-times in the Old Testament, when God ministered to His leaders, He would call them to a secluded place where He could communicate with them one-on-one. It's not that you are having a pity party, but you just need to hear a Word from God! The end result for being in a place called nowhere is that you will obtain a testimony as Abraham. As recorded in Genesis 12, God instructed Abraham to depart from Haran; away from his kindred and his father's house. He was in a nowhere position, but he soon found out that the steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD! Not by friends, family, critics; but the Lord. In closing, be still and know that He is God. To insulate you, God often isolates you. To be exceptional you must go through exceptional trials. No more mediocrity. Forget about being average! God's Word says, "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:5-7). Wait on the Lord. He is ready to take you from your nowhere to your somewhere! |
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