Last night I went to a great party. It had the ingredients; energy, music, good food, great deserts, and even better conversation. As parties goes it was a good one. I did think of one of the all-time bests earlier this summer on a South India beach. I wish you could have been there.
It was a full moon with cool tropical breezes tickling the white sand. At one end of a luxury resort was a band-stand that faced a small hut stashed with food and drinks and then the endless blue waters of the India Ocean. The party got of to a great start with the requisite ingredients – lots of excess energy, great live music, fantastic food of the region and beyond, great deserts that successfully tempted even the most disciplined, and endless wonderful conversation. As three of us were dragged up to play with the band (mine was clearly a bit part!) we experienced the joys and fun of the first time an audience hears the American blues.
Initially we didn’t think much about it but later that night, as the majority of the crowd drifted homewards, the band came back asking for a late night jam session. What followed can only be described as magic. A extended jam session, almost an hour on one song followed as three friends reveled in the music with the band and said thank-you to a dozen people who had given up a big chunk of their lives for the team’s success.
I read Joel’s words and I think of that night. “What a day! Wine streaming off the mountains, milk rivering out of the hills, water flowing everywhere in Judah, a fountain pouring out of God's Sanctuary, watering all the parks and gardens!” (Joel 3.18)
I also think of the blues session that will come on a sea of glass. No more tears. No more heartache. No more anger, frustration, and evil! Just hanging out, making music, learning, and growing with old and new friends. The band for that session is a formin. Sure hope you join.
