THE SPIRIT SEEKS

Last weekend I did a playing job at Emory University. For those who don't know, I am a trained professional clarinetist and do some performing around town when it is possible. I was hired to play in a pick-up orchestra to accompany a select adult choir who performs at Emory. This concert was to celebrate their 50th anniversary as a choir. I wasn't expecting much in terms of music, probably because I wasn't familiar with the pieces we were playing. I practiced my part but didn't know how it was going to come together. Well, it turned out to be one of the most rewarding playing experiences I've ever had. Lately, the Lord has really been releasing me from a lot of prideful stuff. However, in this one area of my life-playing the clarinet-it has been extremely hard to know how to do this in a completely God glorifying manner. Training to be a professional musician is a very self-focused thing, especially if you're not a Christian. I came to know the Lord when I was a sophomore in college, getting my music degree. Since then, the Lord has been slowly working in my heart to teach me how to focus on Him when I play, and not my performance or my ego. But like I said, it has been frustrating.

Anyway, on the way to the concert last Saturday night, I was praying and asking the Lord to glorify Himself through my performance. I sat down and warmed up for the concert and then waited while the choir sang two accapella pieces. I didn't know anything about these pieces so I just sat there and listened. Wow! The most beautiful sound lifted my soul up to heaven. The first piece was an old Gaelic hymn called, "Spirit Seeking Light and Beauty" and I don't remember the second piece. But what I do remember was one phrase that was burned into my mind -- "serene forgetting." I was so inwardly focused on my performance that I'd forgotten that my part was just one piece of a puzzle that when put together made a beautiful, melodious mosaic. When it came time to pick up my instrument for the rest of the first half of the concert, I was able, by His grace, to play without ego or concern for mistakes. I was in a state of serene self-forgetting. I only revelled in the beauty of the gift of music.

(p.s. I am earnestly seeking the words to that Gaelic hymn. When I find them I will put them on the blog.)


HERE'S A GOOD LINE FROM RICH MULLINS

"And your grace rings out so deep, it makes my resistance seem so small."

Name that tune, if you can :)



SCRAMBLED EGGS AND SANCTIFICATION

I know my tendency to want things to be done NOW is a result of my worldliness but God continues to work. (Have you ever put something in the microwave for 30 seconds and then stood there thinking, "Hurry up!") This morning I was making scrambled eggs. This is something I've done many times in the past 15+ years. Today, though, I was thinking about how important it is not to get the heat too hot and not to cook the eggs too fast. The perfect result takes time. Ditto for sanctification.

Just a thought.