Life: The Musical

Every year I hear people sing Auld Lang Syne at midnight; a song reminding us to appreciate the people in our past.  This is the first year I didn't hear that song though, and interestingly it's the first year that I decided to pause and remember the days gone by. It was a rewarding activity, because I was able to see how God orchestrated a year full of various seasons and transitions for us.  Belize was a time to learn, Cebu a time to play and Manila has been a time to listen.  As I thought about how the year was concluding, I began to discover  an underlying motif in His concerto.

Manila gave us the opportunity to increase our effectiveness by dividing into 4 groups and partnering with small, local churches, while also giving us a greater sense of ownership in the ministry.  We were able to take leadership roles in activities like door to door evangelism, camping in the slums, youth retreats at a water park, and lots of prayer walks.  We enjoyed the freedom to create and improvise, but at the same time, we felt out of tune with each other.  Things became more frustrating as the days went on, until one morning we had a breakthrough.

As we were discussing our concerns one morning, the tone of the room began to lift.  We learned that listening was the key in remaining harmonized through such diversity.  We needed to hear how it all came together in order to appreciate the different roles.  That afternoon, we decided to compose our own outreach activity which utilized the gifts of each individual. Some people prepared games, other songs; a few acted out a drama, and others shared the gospel.  It came together perfectly, and helped us realize how instrumental each person is.

New years eve was the following night, so we incorporated our newly discovered skill to create a vision for an exciting new years eve.  Each person took ownership of an activity, while helping others be successful.  The end result was one of the best new years we can ever remember.  We had a "murder mystery" dinner, a dance, a fireworks show, and a time of reminiscing about the year that God's been conducting.  That brings me back to the introduction: what's the motif of His concerto?

I think the thing I've began to realize is that God is composing the most beautiful love song ever to be played at a wedding, and we are instrumental to it.  It's a symphony of rich complexity.  A symphony comprised of billions of instruments, playing various harmonies, and canons.  A symphony that's increasingly harder to perform and conduct with each passing year.  It would be easier to have one instrument, but then the song would lack the majesty deserving of such a glorious occasion  I think that's why we ask ourselves every year, "should old acquaintances be forgot" and settle on a resounding, "No;"  our Maestro is creating a masterpiece through them.