Musically Me

I have always loved music. I took piano lessons as a young boy. By the time I arrived at junior high, the piano lessons quickly gave way to band instruments. First it was trombone, although I had always wanted to learn to play the trumpet. So, in my sophomore year, a friend taught me a scale on a trumpet. I bought a used trumpet from a pawn shop and taught myself the rest. When I got to college, the concert band needed a French horn player. I did that for a semester, and gratefully laid it to rest. I also played tuba and found that I really enjoyed it.

But I've always loved to sing. As a really young boy, even before the piano lessons mentioned previously, I sang with the kids at our church. We had an awesome kids group! Singing the songs with all my little buddies set the standard for what I wanted to do with my life. As I grew older, our family relocated ~ seemingly again and again. In the seven years of band while in school, I was in five different school bands with six different band directors. Needless to say, I struggled with any kind of consistency in methods. Through all the relocating, singing was something we did at home around the piano.

My dad, sister, and I sang quite often in church. The 'voice change' year or so was awkward, but otherwise, we continually sang together. Then came college.

Auditioning and singing in the College Choir was something I really wanted to do. I was one of only five freshman to make the traveling choir. My dreams were beginning to come true. I worked hard to do well in choir. In fact, I would tell people I worked harder in choir than I did in English. And it showed. Grades in other classes suffered. After the first year, I had to give up that dream.

The family of a college friend of mine had a quartet. They needed a bass singer, and they offered to let me audition. I did, and they asked me to sing with them. My dream was resurfacing and I was excited about the possibilities. After discussing the opportunities with my parents, the dream was squelched again. I needed to go home and work to save money for college.

Over time, the grades slowly got to the point where I was able to travel with the College Choir again. Other activities and events in college led me down a path of ministry ~ for which I'm thankful. Still, the thought of singing southern gospel music never left my mind. It was always back there, sometimes suppressed by the more urgent, current needs, yet still present.

No matter what ministry I've been involved in, music has played a part. There are parts of music ministry that I like more than others. (Now that's a profound statement!) If I've been pastoring a church, there have been sermons that included songs. While serving on our church denomination's media commission, we produced a music CD / Video to capture some of our music heritage. What an opportunity! I've been able to lead choirs, coach teen quartets in music / arts competitions (they won, too!), and do a few small concerts for various groups.

The diversity of music grew proportionately with the avenues of opportunities. I began to listen to and enjoy some of the milder contemporary and worship style music. Hymns have always played a part of my music heritage, also. Through it all, I have always leaned toward my southern gospel roots.

Music ministry is so varied. I'm not a pianist. I'm not a guitarist. I'm not much of a brass or band instrumentalist anymore. I have the ability to lead a choir, although it isn't at all what I enjoy doing. I have the ability to organize and administer a church's music program, but again, I struggle with being passionate about it.

I do enjoy developing and leading a group of people in worship. I do enjoy leading people to a greater height of joy in their walk with Christ. I crave the opportunity to pass along a sense of urgency in growing a relationship with Christ. If this is done through music, fine. If it is done through sharing from God's Word, super. If it is through writing, fantastic. The format being used is not as important to me as being able to accomplish this calling.

God has been so good to me in blessing me with opportunities to accomplish this task. Not long ago, I was given an opportunity that shifts my focus in where I am able to minister. While I'm still able to have a part in a local church's music ministry, I'm also able to sing in a quartet. I questioned my ability and have wondered if I could do it.

The Trust Quartet family has graciously accepted me and allowed me to fulfill a life-long dream. They are also enabling me to learn still more lessons about music ministry. Each time we sing, we are leading a group of people in worship to our Savior. We are able to encourage those in the service to grow in a relationship with Christ, encouraging them to share their faith.

Where are you in fulfilling God's plan for your life? What are you doing to see to it that God's Kingdom is continually being built? Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.

Trust ~ and obey.