Sandy was in the fifth grade, I was in the sixth. We didn’t know each other at this time. In truth, having just moved to this town, I didn’t know anyone at our school except the students in my class. But, Sandy and I became acquainted through music lessons.
It happened like this: I was visiting my cousin who lived across town. He attended a different school than I did. Through his school, he had started taking music lessons. He wanted to play the drums, so he had a rubber practice pad and drum sticks at his house. I was fascinated and had fun beating out patterns of rhythms on his practice pads. I subsequently told my parents that I wanted to take music lessons as well.
When the opportunity arose at our school, I volunteered and my parents signed me up. When asked what instrument I wanted to play, I had no idea. The teacher suggested trumpet. I was agreeable to that, so I started taking trumpet lessons. Sandy also signed up to play trumpet, so we became acquainted through the same class. Only difference was, Sandy really wanted to play trumpet. I did it sort of on a lark, for the fun of it. She did well. I did miserably. Sandy wrote in my senior yearbook, “I’ve enjoyed knowing you, even if you can’t play trumpet.”
After that year of school, I never thought much about trumpet, or Sandy. However, my interest in learning to play a musical instrument remained. After my freshman year in high school, I found out that there was an elective class called Beginning Band, where you could learn to play an instrument and maybe, someday, you could play in the school band. I signed up and this time I chose an instrument that I truly would like to learn.
I was a sophomore now, and guess who, as a freshman, was also in the class? Sandy! Because of her previous experience and lessons, Sandy advanced quickly playing trumpet. This time, because I was motivated, so did I, but this time playing an instrument I truly wanted to learn, the clarinet. By the end of the year, both Sandy and I had graduated from Beginning Band to Intermediate Band, and finally into the High School (Lancer) Band. Just goes to show what a little purposeful determination can do.
We need that same kind of determination in living our Christian lives. The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:24, 26-27, “You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win … I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No lazy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.”
Don’t miss out. Stick with it. Continue to improve. It takes determination. It’s worth it!
– Just a Thought Dale Fillmore is lead pastor at New Day Church.
