Passion Pursued Despite Fear

I suffer from stage fright. This is a funny fact considering that I get up and sing in a trio at church almost every Sunday. I've always struggled with it, but most especially when I sing. There's really no way to cover up a mistake when you are singing...especially when using a microphone! You're out there for the world to see and hear and it feels like being naked in a room of formally dressed, beautiful people with all of your flaws and shortcomings bared for them to analyze. It's not a fun feeling.

So why do I do it? Because I believe that when you are graced with any ability, no matter how large or small, it should be used to share the love of God with people who need to hear or see it. I sing because it's something I feel I'm supposed to do and it's something that is such an inherent part of my life, it would be hard not to do it. It's like breathing for me, something that's neccessary for living and unconciously done.

Part of the reason I still struggle with nerves when I sing is because I have no formal training whatsoever. I don't know how to read music. I sing what I hear when a song is played. I am privileged to sing with two wonderful and understanding singers and musicians. My father plays the piano and our friend Brenda sings soprano while I sing alto. My dad is an incredibly talented pianist who has played since he was a very young boy. He is formally trained, but also plays by ear. He also has two CD's out. Brenda is trained in voice with a focus on opera and has adapted very well to being handed a page of words to learn and a tune on the piano to listen to(no sheet music). We all have and like different styles of singing and music, but are united in wanting to edify our church through praise and worship. This is not always an easy thing considering our church has had little to no exposure to anything like that, but they are good people who are trying to learn.

I've said all of that to ask this - Is there anything in your life that is so much a part of you that you would face a fear to continue doing it?