In a recent interview on Christian radio, world-renowned vocal artist Wintley Phipps talked about his rise from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most celebrated gospel singers of our time.
Phipps is a two-time Grammy award nominee, has sung in Billy Graham crusades, and performed for six American presidents. His rendition of Amazing Grace has upward of 7 million views on YouTube.
His secret to success may surprise you.
“To be successful in anything, we must begin by preparing our hearts with stillness and prayer,” Phipps said.
He says the key to all the successes God has allowed him to have is that he learned “to go to the mountain before I went to the multitude—so when I came down off the mountain, my face was shining.”
“The secret of blessing is that people hear more than just a voice, but someone who is depending on God for his gift to shine,” Phipps said.
The world prompts us to be active at all times. We feel guilty when we’re not busy. If we’re not busy we’re not producing, and we must constantly be producing for achievement and worth.
Yet the reality is we accomplish more from a place of inner rest. God’s exhortation in the book of Hebrews speaks of His promised rest:
So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall. (Hebrews 4:9-11)
Never has there been greater need to slow down and give ourselves permission to be quiet. In those moments of solitude and reflection we’re able to draw near to God.
In the stillness of our time with Him, He fills us with His peace. He prepares our hearts for the task at hand. As we wait upon the Lord, He renews our strength. We hear His still small voice.
Wintley Phipps credits spending time with the Lord and preparing his heart with Him each day as the key to success in his singing career.
“I want God’s presence to be the badge of distinction in my singing,” he says.
Do you want God’s presence to be the badge of distinction in your life?
I do.
Let’s take time to be still and rest in His presence today. We will do less, but accomplish so much more.
Copyright © 2015 Cheryl Elton
A wonderful message to be seriously considered. Let us all slow down and cherish our time with God and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you and God Bless, Val.
Thanks Val! I agree–when we do slow down we realize how precious it really is.
Thanks Cheryl, for sharing something that could never be elaborated on enough! That stillness in our daily private prayer life, is so important, yet challenging sometimes to achieve ~ but well worth seeking that “still small voice.”
Thanks Tony. Much of it comes down to how bad we want it and making time with God a daily priority. I see in the Scriptures that He is always ready to speak to us. The question is, are we still enough in our hearts to hear Him?
Nice, Cheryl.
Thank you for reminding us of the need to be still. Just this morning, I read the verse from Psalm 46, “Be still and know that I am God.”
Psalm 46:10 – great verse, Sarah. Thanks!
I desire God’s rest. And I, too, want God’s presence to be the badge of distinction in my life. He is listening for the one who would call upon Him! I am calling and trusting Him.