Sunday Morning Serenity

Last Sunday, our choir began practicing Easter music, and as I prepare to lead those rehearsals each week, two Old Testament truths are speaking to me. (By "speaking to me," I mean hitting me over the head like a divine skillet.) First, leaders often pray AFTER the fact, when what they need to do is pray BEFORE. They follow their own direction, with no thought to what God would have them do, and when it doesn't go so well, THEN they cry out for help. (Put a big ole check in the GUILTY box next to my name on that one.) I heard somewhere that, when Billy Graham was asked if he had any regrets in life, he responded that he wished he had prayed more. Billy Graham feels that he hasn't prayed enough. What on earth does that say about somebody like me? The second of my "divine skillets" is that some of the greatest leaders in the Bible felt ill-equipped for, and unworthy of, the challenge God gave them. Moses' initial response, when God called him to deliver Israel, was "Who am I, that I should go to Pharoah and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11). This was followed, shortly, with "What if they do not believe me or listen to
me . . .?" (Exodus 4:1). I became our choir director, not because I have such great vocal ability (I'm a so-so singer with a limited range) or because of my extensive training in voice (I have some vocal exercises a collge buddy was kind enough to mail me, but that's about it). I became our choir director because we needed one. And we didn't have a budget to hire someone. So I do my best, and bless them, our choir members bear with me when I can't figure out what exactly the altos are supposed to do here or what the basses are supposed to sing there. Leading them is very rewarding, but it's also frustrating because, as I recently bemoaned to my friend Shari, I know enough about music to know how much I don't know about music. Someone with the right training could take this group places that I can't. But back to "skillet truth" one: I've begun praying about choir in a whole new way—not "please help ME do what I'VE decided the choir should do" but "please show US what YOU want US to do." I'm also trying to embrace my limitations. Yes, someone with vocal training could make everybody in the choir a better singer. And I don't know how to do that. On the other hand, it's our mutual dependence on each other—they need me to teach them what I can, and I need them to understand there's a limit to what I know—it's that mutual dependence, or maybe the right word is acceptance, that makes us a special choir. This is a group that truly cares about each other. Instead of competing for favorite pieces, the soloists suggest them for each other. And when we sing in the right spirit—a spirit of worship and prayer—the music is wonderful. Lesson learned: you don't have to be fully prepared to accept whatever challenge God gives you; you just have to be willing.

Comments

[Rose Chandler Johnson]

Show us the way O LORD to do what you'd have us do. I love it. (It also reminds me of the time I was the church pianist by default. . .my goodness gracious alive! That lasted about as long as it takes to birth a baby. The LORD was merciful and someone else came along better prepared than I.)http://www.writemomentswithgod.blogspot.com

[Nancie Erhard]

Exactly what a church choir is for. There's a lovely Swedish movie whose English title is "As it is in Heaven" that you might like. I love it.

[Valerie]

Thanks! I'll have to look that one up.

[Valerie]

I still remember my first congregational hymn at the piano: "I Am Resolved." I was terrified, but we got through somehow:)

[Anne]

As the "college buddy" who's had to step in to take on the university choir, I feel your pain. The Lord has a way of placing us where we're supposed to be, even when it takes us a while to get the point (speaking for myself, of course). The Spirit is greater than the tools. Let me know what you're singing for Easter.
p.s. LOVED the Southern Living cookbook blog!

[Valerie]

Hey, college buddy! We never did make our annual Christmas call happen. If you have any time this week, give me a ring! I decided the choir was getting Val burnout and so had them elect a committee to choose their Easter music, which worked out great. The committee had a better idea of their favorites than I did, so we're singing a collection of about 8 anthems (in two services), including favorites of theirs plus two new ones. And we're doing our vocal exercises before every practice! Aren't you proud??