Play Your Music With Passion
““So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.””
Why are we so hard on ourselves? We act as if we should know what we are doing. Yet, this is the first time we are living this life. Even the most incredible musicians do not expect to sight-read a musical selection perfectly, without mistakes, with the proper intonation, the right inflection, and the correct expression. Meanwhile, we are sight-reading life and expect it to be flawless. Life isn’t flawless, and it shouldn’t be.
My wife used to accompany High School and College musicians at their competitions. She said that some gifted musicians would play a technically flawless selection, but it somehow lacked passion. Other talented musicians would play the same selection with few mistakes, but their musicality would be exceptional, and their music would move the listener deeply. Jill would much rather listen to the musician with little errors and passion than to the one with technical accuracy but no passion. I would argue that music is a reflection of our larger lives.
Today, take a moment to reflect on how you approach life. Are you technically accurate in what you say and do, but are so careful that you lack passion? A passionate life is worth living. Did you choke up when Rudy tackled the quarterback in the movie of the same name? Have you ever risked looking dumb to help someone or try something different? Did you beat yourself up when you did something awkward? You are not defined by any single uncomfortable moment or even a time when you failed at something. You become who you are by the challenges you face and the lessons you learn.
Get up, brush yourself off, and try something new and exciting. Trying something amazing and screwing it up is often better than meticulously avoiding any social discomfort. In many parts of scripture, God blesses the one who makes mistakes but swings for the fences (i.e., King David, Apostle Paul, etc.). God is frustrated with us when we remain lukewarm and fail to make an effort. Find something beyond your comfort zone, and reach out with reckless abandon. God’s Spirit doesn’t need to help the meticulous, but the Spirit does reach out to those whose passion is greater than their common sense. Occasionally, take a risk and play your own style of music. If you do, God might just bring more passion into your life.
