The Selfless Musician

“Humility: The strange thing is the minute you think you’ve got it, you’ve lost it” -unknown.

Is Humble Musician an Oxymoron?   All to often I hear musicians complaining about playing in there respective congregations. I have even found myself frustrated in playing along with other musicians, when their style or approach was contrary to my own. I am of the opinion that many of the issues could be resolved by healthy forms of communication. However, the fact of the matter is many believing musicians, atleast the ones I have dialogued and spoken with, are not at a place in their walk were the lines of communication can be opened. With boots dug deep into their respective positions a mexican stand-off ensues and no one wants to budge. Your’s truly has found himself at this very place, and even when I released my will in order to accomodate a worship service, I held a grudge in my heart.

As musicians we need to recognize that foremost we are followers of Christ, and find our identity in that very fact. As followers of Christ we must take upon ourselves the daily task following Him. It sound all good at first glance, but the deeper we look into this concept the more we begin to understand that, there are steps involved in this daily process that may not be so appealing.

“And he said to them all, ‘If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23

First, we must deny ourselves. Wait one minute, Rev! What exactly does this entail? It literally means we must lose sight of ourselves and our own ambitions. Trust me without self-denial, the rest of Jesus’ statement is not even in reach. Many have quoted this scripture to me, and conveniently left the self denial out, probably because in fact they haven’t been taking up a cross either.

Second, take up his cross daily. Many would interpret this to mean, they should bare burdens daily, as Christ bore ours on the cross.  The truth is Christ came to free us from our former life, into a new life, that only can be accomplished by way of the cross.  He tells us in Matthew 11:28-30:

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Our second objective is to in fact, recon ourselves dead to sin, and resurrected to new life.  Without such a concience effort, we will never properly follow Christ.  You see as a selfless musician you must truly lose site of yourself, and let Christ take center stage in your heart.

Prayer:  Father, not to sound cliche, but I want to decrease that you may increase in my life.  Help me daily recon myself dead, and alive with you.  You are a awesome Father, Lord, and Friend.  There is truly no one like you.  Give your musicians a heart to lead by example, and show forth your goodness, in your congregations across the globe.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.