Remember the first time you sang in church? It might be safe to say that it wasn't your best performance...it may have been a real "bomb"! I can honestly say that after the first time I played in church I wanted to hide for a week, or two!
Any time you have a "first" attempt it is usually not your best. The first time you make a new recipe you figure out a thing or two you might need to change for next time, or maybe there just won't be a next time...ha! Sometimes we can get used to a level of "performance" in the church service that doesn't allow for anyone to experience a "first". Anytime there is a "first", as music coordinator, I practice extra hard, go over every detail, and sweat it out with the new musicians, but there will always be some "pain". Someone didn't hold the mic right, someone lost their "part", the pianist lost the rhythm, etc... you can go on and on. But there is something GREAT accomplished - a FIRST! Someone did something for the Lord for the first time, it is now behind them and they can look on to the next time, and the next time, and then a lifetime of serving the Lord, and hopefully improving as they go, with the Lord's help and blessings.
If you are a mature Christian, get in on the attitude of enjoying someone else's "first time"! There are enough grouches that will criticize and find fault, let's be the cheerleaders and find the good to encourage. Maybe it was the time spent, the spirit of the performance, or just the willingness to put themselves out there in front of the congregation. Praise the Lord for willing servants who put forth the effort!
Encourage yourself and the new musicians with Philippians 3:13, 14 - "Brethren, I count not myself tohave apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Monday, April 11, 2011
Saturday, April 9, 2011
"Brighten the Corner"
Have you heard the song, "Brighten the Corner Where You Are"? Here's the first verse:
Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do
Do not wait to spread your light afar
To the many duties ever near you now be true,
Brighten the corner, where you are!
Being in the ministry is a different kind of life. You would like for every effort to be a big effort with big results when God has another economy for living. It is the day-by-day, unseen, seemingly small tasks that face us every minute. I love a quote that one of my friends places at the bottom of every email - “The smallest deed is better than the greatest intention.” - John Burroughs.
We may have ideas of great big tasks for God when God might have a series of a million small ones for us to do for His glory.
Thinking this way will make every thing we do a happy event. We can accomplish much in small increments, rather than the epic project that never seems to end. Here are some ways to "brighten your corner":
We musicians can be hard on ourselves. The group may just not "get it just right", the microphones just aren't perfect, our hands and voices don't cooperate with our brains, sickness sweeps through the music department one singer at a time over a period of three months, etc.... Our big dreams of being the best for God go through the meat grinder. God doesn't want that, He wants the daily devotion, the sacrifice of giving the best we can possibly do, and our trusting hearts when the schedules have to be changed.
"Brighten the Corner" where you are, when you're there, in every way you can!!!!
Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do
Do not wait to spread your light afar
To the many duties ever near you now be true,
Brighten the corner, where you are!
Being in the ministry is a different kind of life. You would like for every effort to be a big effort with big results when God has another economy for living. It is the day-by-day, unseen, seemingly small tasks that face us every minute. I love a quote that one of my friends places at the bottom of every email - “The smallest deed is better than the greatest intention.” - John Burroughs.
We may have ideas of great big tasks for God when God might have a series of a million small ones for us to do for His glory.
Thinking this way will make every thing we do a happy event. We can accomplish much in small increments, rather than the epic project that never seems to end. Here are some ways to "brighten your corner":
- pray for your family, church friends, co-labourers in the ministry
- send an email to a missionary or someone serving the Lord who lives far away
- send a birthday card
- send an encouraging note to a shut-in or the caregiver of a shut-in
- cook a great meal for your family
- bake cookies for your kids
- practice your music skills for His glory
- think of someone in your church specifically when choosing a song, special, or offertory - let them know the song is for them
- smile and greet people you don't know
- welcome a new church member or new Christian - remember their name! Ask them what their favorite church song is and try to include it in the prelude or church service.
We musicians can be hard on ourselves. The group may just not "get it just right", the microphones just aren't perfect, our hands and voices don't cooperate with our brains, sickness sweeps through the music department one singer at a time over a period of three months, etc.... Our big dreams of being the best for God go through the meat grinder. God doesn't want that, He wants the daily devotion, the sacrifice of giving the best we can possibly do, and our trusting hearts when the schedules have to be changed.
"Brighten the Corner" where you are, when you're there, in every way you can!!!!
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