The Rhythm of Life

For over forty years my life has moved to the rhythm of the school year.  The excitement of September, those wonderful Christmas holidays, the drudgery of winter, the beauty of spring, and the much needed summer break.  And once finished, it would start all over again.  It was a rhythm that was dependable and comforting.  It was life.

In a few short weeks, that rhythm will be disrupted.  Students will bolt out of the building on June 10 with teachers close behind.  But unlike other years, I will not  welcome them back in the fall.  By September, I will have moved on in preparation for the next stage in my unpredictable life.  I will be adjusting to the beat of a new drum, a new rhythm.

Will it be as dependable?  Will it be as comforting?  Only time will tell, I guess.  But this I do know: God is dependable, and God is comforting.  Why should I be afraid?  Whom should I fear?  If our God is for us, then what could stand against?  Surely not the things of the world, nor the unseen powers above or below.  Our God is our Rock, our ever present help in times of trouble.  We all face times when we must step out in faith, unsure of what lies ahead, yet we can be perfectly sure of who is in control.  As we all move ahead, no matter the circumstances or the outlook, remember and tightly hold onto that truth.  In it we will find the true rhythm of life.

A Concert for the Ages

I love music.  I know, not everybody loves music, and I'm OK with that.  But I think I am in pretty good company, since it seems clear that God likes it too.  After all, he created it!  One of the really neat things about music is that it can stir your emotions even when not professionally done.  This is different from, let's say, getting a new roof put on.  Sideways shingles installed at a bargain rate look bad, and more importantly, don't keep the water out.  Music, on the other hand, can be performed by kindergartners or professionals, and while not of the same quality, the effect can be quite similar.  When I hear music, something is triggered inside me that makes me smile. I don't know why - it just is.  When I heard our choir, band, and string club perform at our recent concert, the music touched me down deep inside.  Of course, there were some misplaced notes and wayward pitches. I heard them, and maybe you did too.  But the overall effect was the same. I left somehow different than I came (and that's a good thing!).

Isn't it somehow the same when we work with kids?  We should know by now (it is the middle of May, afterall) that the "music" our kids produce will not always be worthy of Carnegie Hall.  But it doesn't have to be.  We expect our students to develop and use their God-given talents to the best of their abilities, for the glory of God, and for the advancement of His kingdom.  That won't look the same for everyone, will it?  Some will indeed compose and perform beautiful music, while others will struggle to stay on key, and in the end may not even be successful with that.  But we still love them and do our best to encourage them to use the talents they have been given in His service.  Let's listen to the music our kids produce not with an ear for perfection, but with a heart of love, understanding, and encouragement.  Now that would be a concert for the ages!