He wasn’t a Christian, but he later told me he felt a sense of ‘divine intervention’ when he added my CV to the pile.
He wasn’t a Christian, but he later told me he felt a sense of ‘divine intervention’ when he added my CV to the pile.
On paper, I didn’t have the right experience, but he took a chance on me and hired me anyway, believing in what I could become. That simple act of faith changed the course of my career. Since then, I’ve had employers who have done the same – people who saw something I didn’t yet see in myself. Their willingness to take a risk has shaped my path far more than I can express.
Later, when I hesitated about a new role, that same interviewer offered another piece of wisdom: “If you can already do the job you’re going into, why would you bother applying?” It has stayed with me as a reminder to keep learning, to step into the unknown and to trust that growth happens when we stretch beyond what feels comfortable.
And when I feel out of my depth, that’s often where I see God most clearly at work, bringing together the scattered pieces of my experiences and shaping them perfectly for what’s next.
This kind of generosity – taking a chance on someone and offering time, encouragement or opportunity – takes faith. It asks us to see potential before it’s obvious and to invest in someone’s growth the way others once invested in ours. God did exactly that for us. He saw who we could become long before we could see it ourselves.
One of the most beautiful things about Langham Arts and the All Souls Orchestra is their multi-generational character: creative disciples at every stage, from the spiritually mature and musically experienced to those just beginning their journey.
Those who have gone before don’t forget to look behind them and take a risk on who’s coming next. And the joy lies in offering those opportunities not as an obligation but as an adventure.
So perhaps the invitation is simple: to do for others what He has already done for us, to believe, to encourage, to give someone the space to grow.
Because generosity isn’t only about giving things away but passing on the belief that change and growth are possible.
Lani Charlwood
Director, Langham Arts
Reflect
‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.’
Proverbs 3:5-8
Pray
Pray for the courage to trust God’s guidance when helping others.
Ask God to show you someone who needs a chance or encouragement today.
Thank Him for the people who have believed in you and opened doors in your life.
Act
A generosity challenge for you to complete today:
| Give a gift today with one condition: the person must use part of it to bless someone else. Choose a friend, support worker or neighbour, but include the instruction ‘keep it going’. |
About Langham Arts
Langham Arts exists to point people to Jesus through the power of music. It nurtures Christian musicians and artists and provides resources for schools, churches and music students. Through the All Souls Orchestra, they model a life where music and faith are inseparable, enabling musicians to develop both spiritually and artistically.
For over 20 years, the Prom Praise for Schools programme has inspired more than 30,000 children and teachers with faith-based storytelling and world-class music that supports learning, worship and unity.
