WHO WE ARE PEOPLE
My irreplaceable role Interview by HUGO BRAVO
Captain Lilybeth Otero, pastor at The Salvation Army in Albany, N.Y., talks about what motherhood taught her regarding God’s love for us; how worship music is in her blood; and why in ministry, she should never feel “lonely at the top.”
I was 17 years old when my parents enrolled in The Salvation Army College for Officer Training (CFOT) in 2006. Ten years later, I was commissioned as an officer myself. I have lived, worked, and studied at the CFOT. When I visit, it feels like I’m coming home. Having lived there in my teens, I feel a deep connection with children of officers, cadets, and pastors. Those kids are in a unique situation; they can sometimes feel unheard and have a deep sense of wanting to belong and be part of something bigger than themselves.
I feel closest to the Lord when I am leading worship music. I pretend that there’s no one else in the room, and I am singing directly to God. But I also know that I have the honor of bringing listeners into His presence through music. That’s also a special feeling. My family’s history in worship music goes back to my great–grandmother. She lived in the hills of the Dominican Republic. She walked to the homes of her friends and neighbors and played worship music for them on an accordion.
Digital art is a creative outlet for me. I design lettering inspired by Scripture and the lyrics of Christian music. When I hear or read something that stands out, I turn it into art. I’ve hosted “Prayer through Painting” workshops at women’s camp, where artists find their own memorable words and turn them into art projects. When I received an iPad as a gift, I used it to create digital art and post it online. It was a way to bring my ministry into the modern age, which is something we should all do with our unique ministries.
Motherhood is my role in life in which I’m irreplaceable. I have learned about the love and patience of the Lord by being a mom. For example, sometimes my daughter argues and refuses to listen to me, even though I know what’s best for her. Out of love, I let her do some things her own way, and when it doesn’t turn out like she wants, she comes to my arms for help and comfort. When that happens, I think, Is this how God looks at us when we defy Him and try to do things our own way, fail, and then go running back to Him?
People say that it can be lonely at the top. Leading a church can sometimes make me feel that way as well. But while in deep prayer, I once heard the Lord say to me, “The moment that someone says they feel lonely in their role as a leader, is the moment that they forget that I am there with them.” This realization awakened my mind. God is our greatest companion, and the work will never feel lonely if we’re at work for Him. We must never forget the One who calls us to our roles and shows us the way. There are many times in ministry when we may feel helpless and disappointed, but those are the exact times that we need to step back, be still, and remember that we are always in the Lord’s presence.
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