Staying in the Race
MUSIC BLOG
05-02-2024
Staying in the Race
Philippians 2:12-14
12 Not that I have already grasped it all or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Leading a group can be both rewarding and very annoying. Achieving something has the satisfaction of accomplishment that we all need to feel purposeful and vital. It may be as simple as planting a flower, refinishing a table, or changing your sparkplugs. Each task’s completion gives its rush of serotonin! These tasks are solitary in that we do them largely by ourselves when others must be involved to accomplish a goal that is a quite different scenario.
Working with people is hard. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone wants to be heard. Including others bears the responsibility of sharing a vision, giving direction, and being patient, cooperative, and supportive. All of which takes energy, planning, and commitment. Commodities that are often in short supply.
Leading a group also means the group surrenders to you as leader. That is easier said than done. I have found that age helps people to accept a person’s ability to lead. When I was right out of college teaching school, those students who were seniors in high school had a difficult time seeing me as their leader, as the age difference was so close. The younger the age of the students the easier it was for them to not only see me as the leader but also to expect me to lead them. I cannot begin to share how often I have been in a situation where the people I’m expected to lead balk at me or doubt my leadership abilities. Sometimes it’s an internal problem with the person, sometimes it was a lack of experience on my part. I got through those situations by remembering that even as Paul said to the church at Philippi, I have not yet arrived. A leader must remember we’re all on the road to heaven, none of us living have “made it”. Truthfully, that concept is something that everyone needs to remember. Most arguments or hurt feelings could be avoided by remembering that none of us are perfect, none of us have arrived.
My brothers and I have sung as a quartet since I was in 4th grade. When we were younger, we had people to lead us and train us. My minister of music was our first leader, and my dad led us when we were at home rehearsing. As we got older, we looked to ourselves to find a leader. I am not the only brother with a music and seminary degree. Leading this group of men is a challenge. Offering a word of correction or suggesting a different approach is not met with joy. I cannot lead this group of singer the same way I do at church. There is a distinct hierarchy in my family. The eldest brother is always in charge. I am second but not necessarily. The brother one year younger than me is very vocal and quite a good musician. My youngest brother has a music degree and a seminary degree. He thinks he should lead the group. It invariably happens that feelings of joy for the opportunity to sing are shattered by feelings of not being appreciated for our musical talents and leadership. There have been occasions when one or more brothers have walked away from rehearsal only to be called back to the piano.
If we had given up on the situation, we would have lost the opportunity to sing. We cannot regard ourselves as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on.
We gain nothing by giving up! God has done so much for us and has placed so much within us. Giving up accomplishes nothing for God’s Kingdom. Giving up accomplishes nothing for our sanctification. Although we stumble and fall, we must get back up. I may get mad and storm out of a rehearsal, but I will come back and do whatever I must to accomplish the task at hand. The hard truth is we all have that responsibility. We all have that difficult thing that we try to give up, but God is still working in us and through us because He knows we need to accomplish the task at hand.
Where is God working? Isn’t it time you got back in the race?
Blessings,
Marty