“I’m going on tour with an African Children’s Choir” said the very white, blonde haired, blue eyed girl.

That’s been my favourite way to raise some eye brows lately. You see I am lucky enough to be going on tour with 100% hOPE Choir around the east coast of Australia. I can not sing, I can dance in my dreams and I definitely would trust my ability to keep beat on the drums. Africans seem to be born with the beat within them and have a swagger that no whitey can replicate. However I will use what ever I possess to help where I can. The lesson of obedience appears to be the best learnt in order to contribute your part in God’s kingdom. It is one that I continue to learn with every opportunity given.

I have seen and heard of the obedience of Trishelle, the founder of 100% hOPE as she left all that was comfortable six and a half years ago as she moved her life to Uganda to serve a people that she grew a heart for. Her life is a continual roller coaster of high highs and low lows. Anyone else without the call, obedience and pure grit would have thrown their arms up and opted off the ride long ago.

I’ve witnessed the servant heart of a 13 year old as she gave up her pink and mint green bedroom to a complete stranger. She then watched as her house was overrun with small children making sticky floors and snotty tears and her response was kindness.

The generosity of a man who heard of lost baggage and approached to pay for replacements. The luggage pod on to of the car came undone on our way late to a performance (we failed to consider day light savings). Then later as we shopped to replace toothbrushes, nappies and body wash, he presented more than enough to pay for the damages.

All in all, God has put us in very different positions. We need to be super alert to His voice. What has he called you to do? Obedience is important. To listen is to obey. That’s what we see in the Old Testament. In fact… ‘obey’ does not feature in the Hebrew. The word is listen. Sometimes we think it is an option when we listen whether to obey and other times we just don’t listen at all. Let’s focus on walking with God and being so close that we can know what he is saying and how we can be used.