Isn't it amazing how your life has turned out?

Did you ever dream your life would be the way it is?

All to lead you to this time in your life where you're the creative person you are (or want to be.)

How did you get here? What experiences (bad or good) made you the person you are?

I often tell clients that we are today who God wanted us to be all along. The ministry we have now is because of our unique history of life. This is what He made us to talk about, share with others, sing about, play for, and otherwise express our art.

I never dreamed that there was a job called Music Producer. Looking back now it's pretty obvious.

I always loved to record. From a small kid, I had a cassette recorder, and would tape my voice and sounds in my bedroom to listen to it. Just hear it back. That was fun for me (yes, all the other kids were outside playing and being "normal". Well, I did that too. I was a great hide-n-seeker. I considered going pro.)

When I was a teenager, I started writing songs, and would record them so I could listen back. After that I started recording friends and their songs, co-workers and their songs, and finally, paying clients.

Along the way, I learned the music producer pretty much did what I did. All along, through all the days as a kid, recording on Dad's reel-to-reel, recording game shows and goofball comedy hours with friends...I was producing.

Now, it took 25 years or so before I got there. There were alot of what I felt missed opportunities along the way. Everytime I came to Nashville from age 18 on, I felt like I wasn't pursuing my dream. I would go home sometimes dejected.

Eventually, I decided that I would just do music and recording the way God had always showed me. Do it with the experience I had.

The ups, the downs, the emotional rough times, the friends, the loves, the moves, the times with no money.

All these times, many that I thought weren't taking me anywhere, were shaping me for the here and now.

The songs I wrote from 1985 to now, that I thought were just songs I was writing as I waiting for "my big break", are now being used on albums here in Nashville.

All the experiences, bad and good, have formed who I am, how I deal with clients, problems, and choices.

Who would imagined two years ago when God told me NOT to come to Nashville but to lead worship at a small church of 150, that I would learn alot about how to lead people, grow people, and nurture artists.

Then after working at that loving church for 2 years, that God would open the doors for us to move our production business to Nashville and be blessed.

Who writes this stuff?

Well, I guess God does. Sorry stupid question.

Maybe He's still making you.

I think He's still making me. Wonder if all this producing stuff is just a precursor to the next phase of my life?

I won't even venture to guess what that is. I think I will just enjoy the ride.

So, where are you?

Can you look back and see where He has brought you through life? Through good and bad that has given you the experience, the maturity, and the courage to do the ministry He made you for?

Or is He still making you?

Take heart if things are bad right now. Maybe it's a building time. The way you are dealing with this time will prepare you for a time when you are in a place you feel you are making a difference.

Or even if it's just boring right now.

There were times when I look back and remember I thought I was marking time. Just standing in the same place, doing the same thing. But He was working even in that. Letting me practice, grow, write songs that I thought would never be heard, and be ready for the Now where it's all being used.

It's kind of funny how God works eh?

Have a great week.

EC

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Eric Copeland is a Christian music producer in Nashville, Tennessee who helps artists, writers, and other creative types do what God has for them to do.

Check out Creative Soul Online for more.