A Lesson from the Music

        The amount of black notes all over the page always make me feel a little overwhelmed at first. To actually think I can express the music in front of me is a little daunting, and usually the first time I plough through the pages, it sounds like a dying cow. I put it away for a day or two, hoping that somehow the notes will change from the tough, black challenging blobs to something easy and fun to play. Something like that bouncing ball on those old sing-a-longs videos that were once so popular. Yet, when I regain my courage and pull out the sheet of music once again, something special happens:  it actually looks easier! And the best part is it sounds pretty! It sounds like, well, like MUSIC! :)
        This is kind of what happened to me during the last few days. At church there is a mixed octet practicing a song and I was asked to accompany them with my flute. I was thrilled! I am always looking for chances to play. I agreed and worked from the choir sheet  music for a few weeks. I listened to the song on cd over and over again so I would know the song well, and I noticed the beautiful flute part in the background. That was not what I saw on the choir sheet! I went online and found the sheet music for the flute and ordered it, thinking I only had two days to practice it. Over and over again I played the notes, as the song played in the cd player next to me. As soon as the song was finished, I would jot down something I wanted to remember on my page, press the button, and begin playing along again. The children were very patient with me, but I could tell they were getting a little tired of it all. I figured they would know the song so well that they could be backup singers if the group needed them! 
        One thing I learned from the marathon practice over the last few days is that I have to have faith that what is written on the page may not make sense by itself, but when it mixes with the singers and other instruments (a.k.a. piano), it will all make a beautiful picture. Sometimes I want to play my own thing. If something does not sound right I want to make up my own notes for that section. It takes faith to believe what the writer wrote is correct. It takes faith to step out and play it even though I have trepidation about it not sounding good.  
        This got me thinking about putting my faith in the Bible. I must believe what the Writer wrote is always correct. It may not make sense for the time being. I may want to do things my way during a particular hard part of life. What He commands of me may not sound right, and He may even ask me to veer away from the normal tone of what others are doing, yet I must believe His work is true. I must believe He will make it all become a beautiful picture in the end. I must trust the Master Writer/Composer. I must have faith that my life, His piece of music, will make a beautiful melody for Him if I only play along as He has written and follow the Great Conductor.    

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