Bach

I just finished reading the biography of Johann Sebastian Bach. Turns out he was a pretty cool guy before he got popular. His biggest peeve was the unnecessary rules and regulations within the churches. While serving as the organist in one such church, he was sent a formal letter complaining that his music was too untraditional. It was not the way they had always done it. At this Mr. Bach replied, "The object of all music should be the glory of God." The Church of Anstadt fired him.
Somewhere along the way Bach turned into a terd and seemingly lost sight of what he so proudly claimed was the purpose of music. He continued to grow in talent and popularity. People came from all over the world to see the man who could trill with his thumb and forefinger while simultaneously playing a melody with his pinky and ring finger (yeah, holy cow). I imagine however, that as he gained the world's respect, he lost the respect of those who aimed to glorify God. How sad.

A New Resolve

I peered over the edge
And saw them walking jauntily,
Seemingly without a care in the world.
Their bare feet stepped lightly on the soft grass,
And their hair danced happily in the wind.
They looked healthy and strong.
They were not plagued with worries as I was,
And I envied them.
I envied them because my path
Was steep and tough.
The flowers did not bloom underneath my feet,
And blood matted hair to my scalp.
I was pale and weak.
My bones were broken, skin bruised
Due to the beatings of thieves.
Our pathways ran side by side.
"Look," they called to me,
"Our destination is one.
Surely you see your efforts have come to nothing;
Your work has proved vain."
At this my heart was desolate.
I could not understand why You,
You who are called Shepherd,
Had led me to this place named pain.
So I went to sit alone,
Away from their sight,
Away from their calls,
And I found I was angry with You.
I was angry at the pain You'd led me to.
I was angry at the questions You left unanswered.
But my anger was short lived.
As tears fell into my hands
You alone held me
And promised all would be well.
I became stronger
The longer we embraced
For You welcomed my burdens as Your own.
So now I stand, head held high.
My hand rests comfortably in Yours.
I will follow You along this jagged road
And let You tend to the skinned knees
I obtain along the way.

A Thought

"Have you ever given orders to the morning,
or shown the dawn its place,
that it might take the earth by the edges
and shake the wicked out of it?"

Job 38:12-13

I began to talk to You,
But words were not enough.
I tried to make music for You,
But my skills would not do.
So I sit and write for You.
Once again my talent falls short;
I cannot give You all You deserve.

Yet my heart is ignited
Because you accept what I bring.
Thank You for listening to my words.
Thank You for dancing to my music.
Thank You for loving my heart--
For smiling at my efforts to glorify You.

Redemption

When we were little my brothers and I would buy Hot Wheels cars every chance we got. After a while our collection consisted of about 60 racecars, SUVs, emergency vehicles, tow trucks, etc. (most of which belonged to the other two, but I contributed my few.) The most desired car was a blue racecar that had the Nestle Crunch logo on the side. When we would get the Hot Wheels out to play, the first person to think about it would shout, "I claim the Crunch car!" In our imaginary town the Crunch car always had the biggest garage and was driven the most often. The lucky one with "Mayor Crunch" was proud to have it and usually gloated about his possession as long as we were playing.
Wednesday night the youth started a study in Ephesians. Verse 7 of the first chapter talks about the "redemption" we have because of Jesus' death. I've read this verse several times before, but when we stopped to talk about the meaning of "redemption" the passage took on a whole new meaning. Marvin said it best. He said that to redeem means to reclaim. Not only did I belong to Jesus to begin with, but when sin came into the picture and I went somewhere I shouldn't have been, He claimed me AGAIN. Just like we used to claim that blue car, Christ proudly claims me as His own.
It's interesting how one word you've grown up hearing can still change your life.