Wednesday, June 06, 2012

Learning to Trust - Laura J. Davis

The last time I was here I shared with you how I came to know the Lord. You can read about it here. Today, I'd love to share with you where I was when God found me. 

Before I made a decision to live my life for the Lord, I was a professional singer. Or rather, I was just getting my start professionally. I had an agent, who would send me to some of the most horrible places to sing. A backup band would be hired to support me and I would sing from about 9:00 pm to 1:00 am. I would do a 40 minute set and then break for 20 minutes. Most of the places where I sang were noisy, smokey and filled with drunks. I was about 18 years old at the the time.

These types of gigs continued until sometime after my conversion, when my pastor asked me why I was wasting the voice God gave me instead of  using it for Him. I wondered how I would be able to sing without my back-up band and what songs I would sing. I was a new Christian. I didn't know any Christian songs, only secular ones. I put the thought out of my mind.

Six-months later, that thought seemed to be hounding me and I knew I had to make a decision one way or the other. The time came when I was asked to perform at the Talent Search Awards ceremony in the Ballroom at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. Talent Search was the agency that I had signed (they are no longer operating) with and they had these awards ceremonies every year to bring media attention to their clients. It was a very dressy affair and I sat at a table with my parents and some other people I didn't know. I was supposed to sing right before the Female Singers Awards portion of the show.

After I finished my song I went back to my table and the host took out the envelope with the Female Singer of the Year nominees. To my delight and my horror I was named Runner-Up Singer of the Year. It was a tie! I can't remember what I said when I received this award, but I do remember quite clearly what I felt and heard as I held it in my hands and went back to my table. 

"Who are you singing for? You or Me? Trust me." 

The conviction that came over my spirit was so strong, that the following day, I decided I would sing for the Lord and Him only. I backed out of all opportunities to sing in bars and told my agent I was singing for a higher power now. We parted ways amicably. 

I was now faced without a back-up band, or the ability to play any instruments, to help myself. But, convinced I was doing the right thing, I trusted God to lead me. Three months later I received a guitar for my birthday. I gave it back to God and said, "Okay, Lord if you want me to sing for you, you'll have to teach me how to play this thing." He did more than that. Within a year I had written over 22 songs.

The music was flowing and it would not stop. I had no idea that by saying yes to God, I was about to begin a 30 year career in Christian Music Ministry. So, when it stopped I was broken and shattered. 


More on that next time. Until then, please come visit me over at my website at www.laurajdavis.com. Have a blessed week!

2 comments:

Peter Black said...

Thank you for sharing this very interesting and inspiring chapter in your journey, Laura.
The Lord's mercy is everlasting and His ways past finding out!
Grace and peace to you.
~~+~~

Eleanor Shepherd said...

Wow, Laura. I never knew. Thank you for sharing your story and thank you for listening and being obedient. You are an inspiration.
Warm regards,
Eleanor

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