Maranda Curtis – An Open Book

CCM: How has this changed the way you lead worship?
MC: Once I understood that I worship because God is my treasure, the tone of the physical act of public worship had to change. Now that I have learned this foundational concept, I will teach it everywhere. I want to bring awareness as to why we worship God. The first step is to worship in obedience, which brings the tangible. Worship bears fruit; not just for material things, but in the blessings that arise from authentic praise. Worship is life.

CCM: Given the unsettled state of our country and the precarious situations many people groups are experiencing right now, did you find it more difficult or, perhaps easier, to sing songs of openness and unity?
MC: The state that our country is in grieves me. It’s hard to do what I do knowing what is being done. To declare something as big as an “open heaven” can be difficult to do when all these other things are happening simultaneously. I have to believe that God is using these things to get the attention of believers and the church. It’s a heart thing. We must return our focus to Him.

It is one of my assignments to help guide that process. If the world could truly see that God is our treasure, if we could unite and come together around that principle in a way that the rest of the world can see, the heavens will open in a major way. But these are times when we should not be silent. Our responsibility is prayer. We must bring awareness and love each other for real. The world will know responsible worship by how we love each other, by how we come together arm in arm.

CCM: You’ve often spoken of the incredible benefits you have gained through a mentorship with Pastor John P Kee. How could you explain the merit of mentorship to others? Do you find yourself in the mentorship role for anyone else?
MC: I see a mentor as someone who is seasoned, someone in a position to share things the other person may not yet know. Pastor Kee saw something in me and helped develop and train me. I thank him so much. Whenever I need advice he is able to provide wisdom.

It’s so important to have someone who has gone before you. Today, others have asked me to mentor them and, the first time, it was one of the scariest things ever. I’ve never had natural children but I felt like a first-time mother who is scared out of her mind. I was terrified, but humbled that someone saw something within me for which to glean. I daily pray for wisdom and continue to be humbled and honored.

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