CeCe Winans: A Faith for All Generations

Y'all not gonna believe this. I got CeCe Winans. What you need to know right now is that if you didn't know she had a book, she does music, but she has a book. Go get it. It's called Believe For It. And if you didn't know already, she's on tour this fall. You can go to ccyinans.com/events to get your ticket. Now I know y'all don't want to hear me. I know y'all want to hear CeCe. So here we go. Okay. So one of the things I've always admired about you, uh, is your clear-headed parenting. Um, years ago, years ago, I read in a magazine where you were talking about not being your child's friend first, like that is not the goal, and how you have to prioritize what the role is during the season where you're raising them. You can be their friend, you can be their friend later. Um, recent— yeah, recently I've heard you say much of the same thing. You just get better at, at saying it. Um, you talked about things being unhealthy when you're their friend, and you've talked about the structure that's needed in, um, training children and all basic respect and all these different things. But I— why do you think you did not get caught up in that trap? Because you didn't just start saying this, you were saying this when your children were younger. And I know a part of the reason is because you're probably looking at the way your parents raised you And, but so many people were raised right, right? And then they fall into, uh, my child's feelings and the friend. So it's not that they didn't have an example or that they haven't heard you got to be the parent, but there's still this. So do you have a thought as to why that happens and to what, what a parent can do? How do you know? Like, I'm thinking about the person who's going to listen to our conversation Right. But how do I know if I'm doing it, and how can I keep from doing it?

Right, right, right. So good, your point of— because, you know, you, you come from the best parents ever in life, um, and I was blessed to have parents to raise us, right? So I feel like that has a lot to do with it. But like you said, some— there's been a lot of people who had great parents to raise them, but they still didn't stay with that train of thought. Um, I think for me it wasn't just that my parents raised me this way, but I saw the difference it made in me as a person, them raising me the way they raised me. And also the thing that never changes for anybody and that is always consistent and always right is the word of God. I think that has to be our standard because there's been some things that I took away from my parents that weren't the best for my children, you know. Um, I had to learn that the Holy Spirit knew them better than anybody, you know. They knew them and knew what they needed. He knew what they needed. He knew, uh, what was going on in their hearts and in their minds. So I would say the word of God is the thing that kept me from falling into that trap, because the word of God tells you to train them. The word of God tells you that they're born in sin, shaped in iniquity. I was talking to my daughter today about Wyatt, and she was like, how does he learn all this stuff?

I was like, girl, they born in sin and shaped Probably something your mama said to you years ago, right?

You don't have to teach him how to lie. You don't have to teach him how to— he was got mad at the other one, he was growling. I'm like, growling? So it's funny, but, but the word of God works for every generation, you know? And when you understand that, then you'll stay with it. You'll even when it's not popular, even when other ideas come up, you know, it's a proven way of raising your children that works every single time.

That's so good. Yeah, you have the privilege of having your mom here with you still. Every time I get to see her face, I just feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Partially because I'm seeing her face, but honestly because I'm seeing your face looking at her. Um, one of the things that I have said, um, with the loss of my mom, um, our mom— I know you've been close to Priscilla and Anthony and all that too— is that I didn't want anything more from her, really. I just wanted more of what I already had. And I think it's just about 40 that I started to have a full— you know, you get to understand your mother when you become a mother or as you become an adult, but it's not until you've gone through the multiple phases of parenthood that you really get the full understanding of all that she had to deal with when she was dealing with you and your siblings and your foolishness, right? You know what I'm saying? So it—

you realize you want to wash her feet every day.

Exactly. Exactly. So right about the time I think I locked into that was about the time that I would have, both from a knowledge perspective and a life maturity perspective, been able to honor her with fuller knowledge. And I mean, a fuller pocket, you know, just the things that you want to be able to do, right? So I love that so much. And I always say that my blessing now is to take some of the doting that I would want to do for my mom in this season and dote on other women, other pastors' wives, other women in ministry, you know, just to turn that around in a different— in a different way. But I watch you with that, and I guess I would— I would love to know now, because you're in this season, right, as a grandmother, you're in this season having watched your own children grow, you're in this season having prayed for them, having seen your own marriage go through different seasons, having a fuller knowledge of what it was to walk a mile in your mother's shoes. Um, I would love to know what you would say to those of us who need to put ourselves in a position of receiving, asking for, enjoying, um, wisdom, because you are actively doing that with the web shows that you're doing, including your mommy. You are wisdom, but you are actively including both your mother and the generation for your daughter in the transference of wisdom, right? Um, what do we need to know about seeking wisdom actively? You know, not just watching YouTube and seeing what the latest thing is on Instagram, but seeking wisdom. What do you want someone that's 30 or 40 or 50 to know about that?

Bible tells us about wisdom, tells us the principal thing. It, it's, I mean, when you read Proverbs, but throughout the word, it just tells you that wisdom— everything begins with wisdom. You know, the fear of the Lord gives you wisdom and understanding, but, but it's through wisdom. Wisdom is more valuable than anything. It talks about as being more valuable than gold. It's, it's because it's through wisdom you learn what you need to learn in order to do life well, in order to live life to the fullest, in order, you know, not to waste time in, in things that will never be fruitful in your life, you know. So I cannot express how important and how valuable wisdom is. Um, and, and so when I look back over my years, and, and we know it takes a village to raise a child, so my mom for sure, oh my God, but all the women who— and the mothers of the church who were around, you know, that was correcting me, even when I didn't want to be corrected. Teaching me, praying for me, building me up, you know, all of that, all of that richness, all of that wisdom that came from so many people from the generations before me actually shaped who I am today. You know, um, their wisdom helped me through my marriage in the roughest times. You know, they taught me how to pray. They taught me how to raise my children. You know, and so I can't stress enough to the young women, find— you get, get behind those women. Let's find a way to spend time with women who have been there and done it already. And who have done it well, you know, because it's a well of— it's a well of priceless information that will actually transform your life. So I always, always say, you know, you seek out the mentor, you know, it's not the mentor's job to seek out the mentee, even though I think as women, there's always younger people that we should be pouring into because of this. Reminded of the, the widow in, in when, when they— when she gathered her children and they got the jars and the Lord, you know, the, the prophet told her to fill up the jars with oil. And as she continued to pour out, you know, it, it kept coming. You know, it's when we dry up. So that's the message to the older women. We, we should be pouring out, um, to the younger women. But the younger women understand the value of, of, of older women. The Bible says older women teach the younger women, um, and, and it's for a lot of things, that's the only place you're really going to find what you need, um, that, that priceless mother that's sitting in your church, um, like you said, the pastor's wife, uh, but a lot of times it's just looking around. They, they don't have to have a title Mostly, most of the time is the ones without a title.

That's correct.

That have been consistent in loving their husbands, consistent in, in, in their walk with the Lord, consistent in loving their children, um, uh, through, through the tough times. Because we know, um, you can try to be the best parent in the world and guess what, your kids are going to go through some things.

That's correct.

You're going to choose things that you never taught them to choose, you know. But that's where God comes in, and we can trust that he's with them no matter what. And, uh, but, but yeah, I can't stress it enough, Chrystal, that it's, it's, it's, it's so important that they find women and that they would draw from that well.

Now, what does that look like for you? One, because you're CC Waddens. Two, because you're high in ministry in the church. Three, because you got a family, you got a daughter, you got, you know, and you you have a busy life. And I'm asking this question, um, because I think inquiring minds would want to know, but also what it looks like for you. But also because one of the things I hear most frequently, um, from younger women— and by younger, I would say anybody under 40— is they can't find a mentor, or the people that they ask don't have time, or they don't think that they have anything to offer. And so while I agree, you got to chase— you got to chase I'm gonna say us down. Oh gosh, yeah.

Is it happening to you?

Well, Priscilla and I look at each other— Priscilla and I look at each other all the time, and Priscilla, she's excited about being an older woman. She's just like, you know, we're the, we're the older women now. I'm like, girl, speak for yourself. But, but, but I, I think that that is real if wisdom is there, and people need to pursue it. But again, one of the most frequently asked questions I get is, will you mentor me? Or, I need a mentor and I can't find one. So I'd love for you to speak to, to three sides of that equation. What does it look like for you? How has mentoring happened for you? What would you say to the woman who can't seem to find anyone? And what would you say to the woman who's being asked and doesn't think she has anything to offer?

Very good, very good. Okay, your first question was, what is mentoring for me?

Yes. What does that look like for you?

I mean, a mentor— me being a mentor, being a—

well, being a mentor, being a mentor.

Okay. Because I have them both. I have mentors to this day, you know, like you said, my mom is a great mentor and leader. Um, Dr. B, Dr. Bridget Hilliard, has been a dear friend and mentor to me, uh, for years now. Um, but, but I've had a lot of mentors from afar as well, you know.

That's good.

I want people to understand that you can be mentored and never meet the person in your life.

That's great, that's great.

You know, you, you have to understand, that's why being faithful to church— and I used to hear the mothers pray— there's things that, that you can catch just by being in the room.

That's right.

You know, again, the wisdom of God.

Sure.

You know, when I was growing up, they had testimony service and they shared testimonies and what they, you know, what God took them through and how they made it through. And so you don't always have to be in someone's face to be mentored.

That's great.

Okay, great. That's mentoring from afar. I mean, it was a lot I learned even from my mom that she was teaching me by her lifestyle.

Yeah, by example.

So by example. So when I, you know, when I would get into it with my husband, you know, it's like, oh You know how people feel like, okay, I gotta— and I'm not against therapists, I'm not against— I think the Bible said a multitude of counseling, there's safety. But the Holy Spirit, before I could say I need to call somebody, the Holy Spirit is like, you already know, you already know what to do. It is like, yes Lord, you're, you're right, you know. Because sometimes we just want to, we just want to pout and we want somebody to hear us cry out and we want to give flesh more time than it deserves. Yeah. Um, So, so yeah, you can, you can, you can be mentored from people from afar, okay? But also, as far as how I mentor, I mentor from afar. I'm busy traveling with singing, I'm busy with the church, but the Bible tells us to make disciples. That's a commandment, you know, um, that's just not a good suggestion. He tells us to make disciples, and I think mentoring is a part of making disciples for Jesus Christ. You're teaching younger women how to live out their holiness, how to live out what God is requiring. Now, it might be twice a week, you know, for an hour or two, um, but, but I do that, and I do that on a regular, you know, meeting with young women. Sometimes I meet in between services, um, because again, I, I'm, I'm the, I'm, I'm the mother of the church now.

I know it's crazy.

You know, the mothers took out time with me. And, and so it's my turn, it's my turn. And so I make time. And I have to schedule it because my life is really busy. But it's just that important that, that I do that I prioritize it as part of my lifestyle, to make sure I have time to mentor. And then I do the conferences, I do things that for people that I will probably never meet because of the platform God has given me. The platform is not about me. It's always about his work. It's always about promoting the lifestyle that will be a blessing to people, you know. And so all of that is a part of my mentoring. But the one-on-one, I think, is something that we're all required to do, you know. Um, I, I couldn't say, you know, I, I sing and I preach from the platform, so that's it. No, no, no, no, no. You, you have to be willing to, uh, spend time for people. That's the heart of God. And so going to the woman that says, I have nothing to give— you have— if you're still here, there you go. Um, you have something to give. What— whatever God has been to you, whatever has worked for you to make it thus far Someone needs that wisdom. Someone needs— sometimes it's just a listening ear, you know. But, but you have a whole lot to give to younger people who are coming after you. So everybody's qualified when you are— when you've had any amount of success, um, if you learned any lessons there's something you can share with somebody else that's really going to make a difference in their lives, that will keep them from making the same mistake, you know. So we can go on and on, but I think everyone, every woman has something to give. And I, and I don't— again, it's not a suggestion, it is, it's a commandment that we teach the younger women and that we make disciples.

You've talked multiple times about consistency and faithfulness, and I think that's one of the things that makes it easy to admire you, admire the gift of God in you and, and the faithfulness, not only that you've exercised your gifting, that you've done so in a respectable and honorable way, but also the faithfulness with which you have done that in the context of the gospel music arena, the CCM arena. I watched an interview on YouTube where you were asked about the opportunities that you've gotten over the years to do other things. I'm— surely CeCe Winans, with this Hallmark voice, with the stages and platforms that God has given you, with the length of time that you've been in the music industry, with all of the awards that you've won, surely you had opportunities to do other things. And your response was amazing.

How come you decided to stay in this lane and not, um, kind of venture out? Yeah, I feel that is really important. The message that I carry and the message that I sing is something that is past entertainment, but it's something that ministers to the soul and to the hearts. And so I feel that, that call. I've done little things here and there, like commercials here and there, but as far as for a career, I never went into it for a career. It's always been a ministry. Yeah. And, and so I just feel it's the call of my life to— this is my purpose. And when you find your purpose, it's like you're stepping down if you try anything else.

That's beautiful.

That's really beautiful.

So you basically said, and I'm paraphrasing, if I do anything other than what God has purposed for me, I am accepting, um, a lower gift. I, I am, I am not engaging with the best. It could be more money, it could be more people, it could be more notoriety, it could be more fame. But if I'm doing anything other than what God has purposed for me, then that is less. I'm accepting less. And I was so struck by that. But what gave you the confidence to say— I mean, I get that. I, I, I believe it. I feel it when you say it. But I don't know, you know, if somebody put a certain piece of paper in front of my face with a certain number on it, you know, or certain opportunities, like, in those moments what was happening in your head and your heart that kept you centered? Because hindsight is 20/20 to say, right, I stayed faithful and look how God has continued to bless and make a way. But in that moment, what did it look like in that moment where you were tempted or called away? Or— and I, I don't mean the devil made me do it, I'm using devil made me do it words, enticed. But what is— what does that look like when the opportunity is great but it's a little off task for you to stay focused?

Well, God, God is amazing. God is really, really good. When I, when I look over my life, it is not because I have been so, uh, untouchable or so strong. Um, it has nothing to do with me. Only thing it has to do with me is that. And, and then the, and the Lord still gives you the strength to say yes to him, you know what I'm saying? Um, because when I look back, the Lord, knowing what he put in me and also knowing the plans that he had for me, Chrystal, uh, over these 40 years, uh because he knew the plan, I can look back where he allowed me to see certain things behind the curtain. Mm. That I won't say scared me straight, but maybe scared me straight. You know what I'm saying? He allowed me to see people with fame, with beauty, with everything you could imagine in this world, I got a chance to see them off stage. I got a chance to see that life happens to everybody.

Yeah.

And I wouldn't trade my relationship with Jesus for any of it, just for what he had allowed me to see. You understand what I'm saying? So that's why I can't even credit, because I was able to see certain things even at a young age to say, oh, you know what, that way does not lead to peace or happiness. That, that way leads to this. The Bible said it leads to destruction. It leads to destruction.

Yeah.

Um, and so things, material things, I saw at a young age that that did not equal happiness, you know. Yeah. The most successful careers the most— you, you name it, they have it. They had it, you know. But, but it was— they were being tormented. Um, so I realized that the demonic world was real, you know. Um, it's not— a lot of times we can see things through the natural eye and we go no further than that, but the spirit world is more real than the natural. And we get so tied up, even as believers, we can get so tied up in the materialism and, uh, in, in the American dream that that we forget that we have an enemy, that as soon as you say yes to something, he's coming to take that, that peace. He's coming to take that joy. He's coming to take your marriage. He's coming to take your mind, you know. And we, we don't realize that every decision really can be a life and death decision.

Yeah. Wow.

You know, so, so he allowed me to see that early enough, even, even with some people in the same— I'm in the church, you know, it's like, are you going to do— are you going to crucify flesh every day, or are you going to pet, you know, and do certain things your way? And I realized, but that doesn't work either.

Sometimes the kind of faithfulness and consistency and discipline and motivation that we need to do the things we need to do well in life, we get that, we absorb it, we collect it from our parents' example. Sometimes we learn it because we had someone in church to teach it to us, or we listened to, followed a great pastor. We've been mentored by afar through books or videos, or we literally had a mentor. We were in a small group, and you learn these things. Sometimes you feel like where you are in life, you still haven't learned them. That's okay. Wherever you are, you can choose to grow. But one of the primary ways, as CeCe has already told us in so many different examples, that she has learned what she's learned about living life well, it's come from who she surrounded herself with. And I know that there are many of you who got a good church home and you already visit with the mother of the church every other Sunday. I understand. But there are those of you I know who are desperate for mentoring, desperate for, um, faith-oriented wisdom. Not just the wisdom of the world, but wisdom from someone who believes that there is a God who had a son and his name is Jesus. And you don't have that in your life, or you want more of it in your life, this is why the Inner Circle exists. Most of the time, the content that I create is done first with the Inner Circle. They get unedited, they get full length, they get Q&A, they get fun and foolery, they get the downloads. And then I share the buttoned-up, shorter version of everything here. But I give my best mentoring, my best coaching, my best wisdom to the girls in the Inner Circle. And I'm not the only one sharing that wisdom. I bring other women in who I love and who I trust, who I've learned from, to share too. If you're interested in having that kind of community, then I want to invite you to check it out. You can go to thesistercircle.com/innercircle. Now, I know that sometimes you just need to be with the people in person. You don't need another digital connection. And that's why the Sister Circle Retreat exists. And I'm going away to California just in a few weeks of the recording of this video to connect in person with women who want more. They want more teaching, they want more development, they want more growth. If that's you and you're willing to get away to hear from God's voice a little better, to shut down the noise of everybody else and what they think you should do with your time and with your life, Come away with me. I'd love to see you there. How can you find out more about that? thesistercircle.com/retreat. The only people at the retreat that are VIPs will be those that are in the Inner Circle. So you can consider one, you can consider the other, or you can consider both. But whatever you decide, I'm glad you're here right now because I want you to continue to consider what this precious woman Miss Cece Winans is sharing with us. Because if you need mentoring and can't do the Inner Circle, and if you need connection or wisdom and you can't do the retreat, you are getting a truckload, a boat full of wisdom here today. And I don't want to take any more of your time before we jump back into the conversation with Miss Cece Winans. You, um, have achieved so many great things. And, but I think there's an assumption that people make that someone who has, again, been on so many stages, had so many awards, had so many accolades, a person whose name is so well spoken of on so many people's tongues that they're, you know, we make assumptions about the struggle, whether or not there is a struggle. Oh, she's always joyful. She's always peaceful. She's always smiling. She's always so smooth. You know, you, you, At the Stellar Awards, you in that, those dresses, I mean, just smooth, just looking like I've arrived. I'm not doing diva things, I'm not speaking diva talk, but just by your presence, it's just a CeCe aura. And whether or not you attempt that, it just happens. It just overflows out of your system. I'm getting that all the way through an Instagram screen. But I would like to know Have, have you, or when have you struggled with— have you ever felt like, I'm consistently doing this thing and people are passing me? I'm doing what the Lord has put in front of me, but I didn't sell as many records. I, I'm being faithful to— yes, I'm traveling, and yes, I've got my kids, and yes, I'm married, but I am really trying to balance my life. And in order to live a balanced life man, those are opportunities that would have taken my career further. What has that looked like for you to struggle with that? Have you struggled with that? What does it look like, and what do you tell yourself in those moments?

I, I can't even say I've struggled with that as much as I've had those thoughts. I've had those times of feeling, uh, overlooked or feeling, you know, like a failure in some way. Or especially when you talk about the industry of what we do, you know, you put everything into it and it didn't sell, or you went on tour and they didn't come. You know, it's just you're human to the point where you feel the initial impact. But I've been taught to not dwell there.

You know, goes back to home training.

It goes back to home training. It goes back to the word of God. It goes, goes back to what you dwell on, understanding that he is God, and if he wanted this to happen, he could have made it happen. So if he did— and now that I'm old enough, like you say, 20/20, I can look back and I can say, Lord, I'm so glad you didn't open up that.

Yeah, right.

They told me no, you know what I'm saying? But in the midst, I'm just like Oh man, I mean, it hurts, it hurts. But then you just, you, you remember to just, you know what, God, I trust you anyway. I'mma— I praise you anyway. This is a sacrifice of praise because I'm mad over this, or I'm hurt over this, or, you know, this didn't happen. Um, and he comes in again, going back to the principle of living. The Bible says to give thanks all time, at all times, right? Nobody wants to give thanks at all times because at all times things are not going the way you want them to go. But that does not— that does not take away from who he is and the commandment that he's given us. So putting those things in place, like the garment of praise will lift the spirit of heaviness. Most of the time when you're heavy, you don't feel like praising, but the commandment is to open up your mouth and praise him, right? And it's in those times, Chrystal Hurst, that you're able I've been able to shift my eyes from the disappointment to who he is and to understand that this is real important, especially for young artists coming up. It's crucial to understand where your value comes from, because it's easy to think that I'm only as valuable as the last song I put out or the last number one I had. That's what the industry is kind of built to make you think. So it's very important to get your value from who Jesus is. Is and you being hidden in him. And I thank God again for those people I've always had around me to shake me out of it, you know. Uh, I always tell people, I would come, like you said, come from an award show, and it's nothing like kids to humble you. You come back and they throw up on you, you know. That's a, that's a great humbling experience right there. In the real world, you know what I'm saying? Yeah, keyed in on what's most important. So have I had those times of struggle or being disappointed? Yes. Um, but I don't stay down long because I make sure I get back into the word. I make sure that I might not feel it, I might be totally against doing it, but it's like, you know what, God, you commanded me to do this, so I gotta do this so that my eyes and my heart will remain, um, steadfast before him.

Your book came out in November, Believe for It. Of course, if somebody is under a rock and living on another planet, then they have never heard the song Believe for It, but I guess What made you write this book? What made you— I mean, you know, you could— I'm sure you've been asked a million times to write and do— well, I mean, to do a lot of other things that you could do, and you have to decide with your time, with the platform that God has given you, when it's time for you to do anything out of the lane of the normal, um, responsibilities that you have— home, church, and being on the road. But what made you say yes to this project this time?

Um, well, I, I, I feel that I have a window of opportunity and a window of responsibility, um, to, to share everything that I've learned and everything that I'm learning with those who are coming after me. And a book was another platform. Again, it was hard to take out the time to do the book, even with a ghostwriter with me, because it just takes time. But it was time. Whenever you put something down, then it's there for generations after you, you know what I'm saying? So to me, it was well worth the time and also understanding the urgency. I think we're, I think we're living in a time, I don't know, that we've never seen before, you know, between the pandemic and now seeing what our children are going through, what young people are facing every day with the social media world. There's a lot of good in that world, but at the same time, it's a lot of evil, a lot more pressure that they're dealing with. I just feel the urgency I felt the urgency of doing this book. I felt the urgency of doing the conference. I'm one of those people Whitney used to call me the reluctant star.

I get that.

I get that because I'm a homebody. Chrystal Hurst, I think we might be a lot like each other in that. I like being at home. Oh, yeah. I'd have on an ounce of makeup, wash my face. As soon as we finish, I'm washing my face, putting Vaseline on, and that's my look. Uh, I love the Lord and I love being— I love my— I love being at church. I'm a church girl. I love being at home. I've always been a church girl, um, growing up. And now that God has, has given us the, the grace and the honor to have a church of our own, um, but, but way before that— we've only been pastoring for 12 years and now my son is the lead pastor— but, but I've always been a homebody, you know. And so my time is very precious to me to be able to spend with my husband and my children. And so to take out the time to do a book, it's just like, you know what? Yeah, I have a high calling. And I have a responsibility to give back everything that God has given me and everything that he's teaching me even now. So it was an urgency. And it has been awesome to hear the testimonies from people who have embraced the book and what they've gotten out of it.

Yeah, well, I love that, and I love the sensitivity. So many things in our lives are about the season, you know, that we're in. And if you do the right thing in the wrong season, it ain't right. And if you do the wrong thing, wrong thing in the right season, it ain't right. It has to be the right thing in the right season. When you say you felt the urgency, because I think so much about what you have done with your life is operating, you know, even if it's born out of you being a homebody and only wanting to do the things that you really feel compelled to do, it still comes back to you having a sensitivity, you know, that it's this song for this album, that it's this engagement that I take, not that one, that this is the season for me to be home more, this is the season where I can be away, that this is the season for a conference or not. It's so much about that right season. But you said you felt the urgency. And how do you separate, um, your personal emotions, desires, from the urgency that the Spirit brings? Because that's how you know it's the right thing in the right season. How do you know really when God is compelling, God is leading, versus I want to do that or this would be okay? How do you tell the difference?

Uh, great question. Um, it's just praying and seeking God. Like, like for instance, you brought up the right song or the right— I don't know if you ever really It's, it's, it's the leading of the Lord. It's the— he deals with my spirit and my heart. Um, but I always— the Bible said if you acknowledge him in all your ways, he'll direct your path, right? So, so I acknowledge him in all my ways. So before I go into a studio or I just, you know, live project, I'm praying, Lord, what songs, what do you want to hear?

I love that.

Uh, how do I minister to you? Because I know that if I minister to him, then he's going to be able to bless the people. The people will be blessed. Uh, so I'm not, I'm not moved by what's popular or what everybody else is doing. Um, but it's like, God, what are you calling me to do? And sometimes it totally contradicts what everybody else want me to do, but because I've, I've prayed and I've obeyed that voice long enough to know the voice, but I've also disobeyed it before and I've suffered for it. So when you hit your head, you know, a couple of times, man, it's like, you know what, Lord, I'll never ignore you again. I'll— I won't listen to other people again. I will be in tune with what you're saying to me, and, and, and I will step out in faith. So sometimes it's still a little scary.

Yeah, it never stops being scary.

It never stops being scary because he's always going to push you out in another level of faith, you know. So you have to have that faith, but you also get into a, a sensitivity and a relationship with him where you, you hear his voice and it's like, yeah, I'm pretty sure this is the way he's going. So holy— again, when, when your heart is pure and you ask the Lord to lead you, he promised that he would.

Hmm.

He promised that he would lead.

Believe Forward is so much about where you've been and what you've learned. And like you said, something that happens when you put it down in writing. But in this season of your life, I'd love to know, what are you believing God to still do? What are your hopes and dreams as you look forward? What are your wishes, your prayers, those that you can share for yourself or for your family or for your children? What's burning in your heart for your ministry? Whatever comes to mind. I just think we think when people arrive that they stop dreaming, and I don't think we ever stop dreaming. If we're still alive, there's still something to do. What are you— what's burning in your heart? What are you believing God for as you continue to move forward in your life?

Um, great question. Um, my, my desires have shifted like big time. Um, when I look at my desires earlier on in life and my dreams and my goals, and there's nothing wrong with the, the natural dreams and goals of, you know, selling these many records or, or, you know, traveling here or seeing people come to know God through your music. There's nothing wrong with that, but I have learned, and I'm in a place now that I want more of him. I'm— when we, when we really sit down and and meditate on the greatness of God. When I look out the window or when I'm in the plane and I see the— I'm like, God, it's got to be more. It's so much more that he, that he can show us of himself, you know. And so that's where my heart is right now. Lord, I want more of you. I was reading in the scripture where Peter, you know, people were healed by his shadow. And I'm like, why? Why were they healed by his shadow? Lord, is that Do you want people healed by my shadow? You know, what is that? What does that take? What type of lifestyle does that take? Because I recognize now, Chrystal Hurst, we carry the answer. Listen, we carry the answer for the whole world. And I think we get so wrapped up in the things we want and even the things we're going through that we forget that we were carrying the resurrection power of Jesus. We had the word of God. And, and so I'm not too proud to say, at 58— I'll be 59 in October— but at 58, Lord, have I missed something? I got to go back to your word. What, what am I missing? Because when I look at who you are and what you've done through mere humans before, I, I know you want to do it again. You know. Um, and, and so, and that's my prayer for me, that's my prayer for my grandchild, you know, when he comes in. You know, my first round was with my kids, you know, I kind of just saw in the natural. But now he'll come in and I'll look at his spirit and I'm like, in the name of Jesus, I cast this out. And I call you, you're going to be this, because this is the, this is the authority that He's given us, you understand what I'm saying? So yes, I, I'm ready to, to understand what it means to be the head and not the tail. Come on, you know, that's not just how much money you have in the bank, but it's like, what power do you have? Do you understand the power that we have to, to live, uh, in a place where we are seated with him? You understand what I'm saying? So, so that's what I'm, I'm longing for. I'm longing to to cross the line and to go deeper and closer to him. And it's kind of— it's, it's— I was talking to somebody the other day, I said it can be kind of scary because it's, it's leaving what has become familiar to you, but that's what it's going to take. And I think we're living in a time now evil is so is so in your face that Jesus has got to be, um, seen through us.

That's so good. Such, such a good thing to desire, and a desire to communicate, to get other people thinking, am I really experiencing as much of God and as much of God's power as I have access to? That is such an amazing thought. I just want to say thank you for letting me have this time with you, but I want to thank you more, not for being perfect, but for being consistent. Not for not ever struggling, but for being willing to show the way. And not for having all the answers, but being willing to share the answers that you do have. You are such a gift on many more levels than your music. That's the big one. That's the one we know you for initially, but it goes so much further and so much deeper than that. And so thank you for letting us know you and learn from you. I love you so much.

I love you too. You are amazing. You are amazing. And I am enjoying watching you soar. So just know I love you. I look forward to hugging y'all next soon. Y'all tell, tell your father, your incredible dad, we said hello. And, uh, and I'll see you. I love you, Chrystal Hurst.

Okay, I love you too. Talk soon. Bye-bye.