LOOKING INSIDE AND OUT: A PERSPECTIVE OF A SINGER SERVING IN SPAIN
As an opera singer, Holy week and Easter are the most busiest times for church. For Holy week 2017, I was hired to sing at 3 different churches throughout the week. However, two weeks before Holy week, I received a message from a friend whom I had not spoken too for quite a bit. He messaged me asking if I wanted to go on a mission trip with his church to Zaragoza, Spain to perform ‘His Life’ musical because He knew I was an opera singer. I thought to myself, how will I learn the music? learn all the staging done? fly to another country? all in the span of two weeks! I needed some time to think about my response.
During the next few hours, I reached out to a few friends for advice, if I should go on this trip or not? Mind you, if I do take on this mission trip, I would lose out on about $1,000 from all the 3 church gigs I planned to perform at. All my friends had a similar response – you should go, it will be good for your singing career and you will get to see Spain! They made valid points and I agreed.
The next morning I replied back to my friend regarding the trip to Spain and said I will take on this task. Things began to pick up and I got in contact with the director and artistic director. They gave me all the music and dialog I needed to know and memorize for this upcoming trip to Spain. Also, they had set up all the logistics for the trip (flight ticket, hotel room, rehearsal schedule, etc.) Everything was covered. During this phase of the process, I had zero intentions for God. It was always about bettering myself and enjoying a free trip. Me, me, me.
I arrived at Zaragoza, Spain and rehearsal started immediately. Nonstop rehearsal for three days from 8:30a.m. -11:30 p.m. All day! At the end of the third day, my body and mind were completely exhausted. The first show began and everyone in the cast was completely exhausted. Yet, by the grace of God the opening show was a complete success.
Now, the first, second and third show was finished but a turning point was to follow. The fourth show, we were all extremely tired and everyone was desperate for much needed rest. During the 50th minute into the show, a deacon randomly came to me and started praying for me while she puts her hand on my heart stating, ‘John, you are in so much pain aren’t you?’ That one statement, broke me down into tears and I felt the holy spirit magnifying my imperfections in front of our Heavenly Father. I was in so much pain and was crying my eyes out that I could not get back on stage for the remainder of the show. I felt as if the deacon’s hand was God’s hand touching me. It was an experience where the floodgates opened. No worldly thing or substance are comparable to this spiritual high.
At this moment, I had come to an instant realization of why I was there serving the Lord through this missions trip. I needed to be unbearably tired and exhausted to truly understand the power of God. He had shown himself to me when I hit rock bottom physically, mentally, but especially spiritually. This mission was set up for my spirituality to be renewed and cleansed. We finished the seventh and last show and headed back to New York City.
It was amazing. God is waiting for you, his hands are already open for you to grab. His timing is perfect. He is perfect.
I have been a man of Christ for about 10 years now. My walk with Christ has been up and down but at the lowest in my relationship, He always came, found the perfect way to pick me back up and renew my heart. If you do not understand what I am talking about, you have to seek. It is something that is very genuine and sacred. Have you’ve ever been in love? It is those butterfly feelings, instant happiness when you think about the other person, a sense of satisfaction, desire to help… it is all of that on a much larger scale, it is spiritual and has to do with your soul.
After this missions trip, I fully understood the purpose of my trip. I realized that I needed God in my life for my everyday walk both personally and professionally.
God is Love.
Name: John Kim
Email: TENORJOHNKIM@GMAIL.COM