This week I have had the fun of being part of an ad-hoc band that forms once a year to praise and worship God. A number of the musicians are very good at their jobs; even the ones who are learning bring something special to the music and the group. The growth that occurs during the week is rapid, subtle, and inherently unseen but eventually heard and understood.
As I watched the audience react to the worship experience, I can easily discern their admiration for what happens. It is as if they feel something special is going on all around them. They are engaged in the process of making music and it works! As I sit on the sound-board it makes it easy to “Observe people who are good at their work — skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don’t take a back seat to anyone.” (Proverbs 22.28)
I find some around me overwhelmed by the musical talent and abilities that one finds in this band. They see people doing “stuff” that they cannot and so conclude that this is a unique gift that somehow is given to the “chosen ones”.
Perhaps this is partially true when it comes to musically abilities. Yet, this week in the midst of the Redwoods I find myself seeing something bigger. Life is more than the “stuff” we do. Our worth comes from something other than capabilities or talent.
This week I have come to admire the band. My admiration has no correlation to anything musical; rather it is a reflection of their pursuit of a relationship with God. This band wants to have and share a direct link with the Divine. It has been a learning experience to share a few steps on the journey with this group of human beings.
The conclusion is simple. They are very human yet their lives testify to the worthiness of our pursuit of understanding how we are God’s children. I find God offering each the opportunity to be part of something grand, awesome, and real. I call this living!
