Dependence on God

My older brother Paul is a United Methodist pastor in the Asheville, North Carolina area. Ever since I let him know during my college days that I felt a call into the pastoral ministry, Paul has been insistent in reminding me that I must never let go of music. He saw me practice many hours as we were growing up together, first the piano, then the violin; he heard me perform.

While his insistence was at first annoying--"Why can't he accept my chosen path?" I would ask myself--I have always known that I need to pay attention. When I am involved in significant musical endeavors that stretch me, I find that my heart and mind--and ministry--catch fire. When I go on hiatus from such endeavors, my spirit droops. If my preaching is woven with at least a little musicality, then it speaks to me much more, and probably to others as well. Paul is right: if I let go of music, I am no longer myself, the person God made me--and is making me-- to be.

Where do you need to make sure that you are being yourself, the person God made you to be?

Brian