the ultimate you

Last night, during choir practice, a spiritual truth seemed illustrated by our talented choir director, Ted Cornell.  Ted consistently selects excellent music for us to sing.  It is music that clearly expresses many dimensions of our Lord's reality and love.  It is also music that is challenging and always requires hours of practice before we "get it right".  The thing that stood out to me last night is that Ted already has a razor sharp picture in his mind, before we start to learn the song, of what the music should ultimately sound like.  He is not only a talented musician and performer.  He is also a designer and fashioner of heavenly messages through this particular medium.  Like most designers, he has a plan in mind for the ultimate product.  As we struggle (and we do) through the learning process...getting notes, transitions, timing, ebbs and flows of volume and words he helps us work on every aspect until the music matches the design he has carried in his mind.  Ted is patient and gentle and consistently kind.  But he is resolute that we will not sing a song until it has been fully crafted.  Over the years there have been some difficult works that we have been very gradually learning and that will, one day, be ready to share.  His fine ear can listen through the many singers and hear four different parts, and instrumental accompaniment,the as they blend.  He can invariably find the voices that are out of tune and shepherd them back to the composition with kindness.  As a choir we willingly practice because we have experienced the joy of the final product and know that all the work is worth it.  There is another, Heavenly Director, who is also patiently working with us.  He too has a final product in mind for our lives.  He is shaping us now so that we will be ready to come directly into His presence.  We do well to submit to this director as well.  He is kind and patient and we will be pleased at the outcome.

 

Philippians 1:⁶ being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ

 

blessings, with gratitude for Ted's example

Rob Smith