Just Do It!

Matthew 14:27-29 (NLT)
27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”.
28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.
30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

It's music day again. I like to have a music day once a week. I was shooting for every Friday, but the last couple of weeks life has taken over so here I am this Sunday morning. This is a great Britt Nicole song, Walk on the Water, based on the story about Peter having enough faith to jump out of the boat and walk on water toward Christ, only to sink after loosing faith for an instant.

The link is to a video explaining how she came up with the song.  Enjoy.
Britt Nicole - Walk On The Water - The Story Behind The Song SPARROW RECORDS (P) (C) 2009 Sparrow Records.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAFup_5dPaQ&feature=related

Here's the song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4ptPEm8gjE

Music has become such a big part of my life, our lives here at home. Our youngest son Michael is 12 years old and plays the piano, drums, and some guitar. He's been taking piano lessons for over five years now and has gotten quite good. He recently competed in is first piano competition earning a 1st Division medal.

Michael worked on the Blue Danube Waltz for months leading up to the competition. As the competition approached we incorporated a sort of getting-ready-to-play attitude adjustment at the start of each practice. I was like a broken record saying, "First adjust the piano bench, then check your posture, breath, ask God to make your fingers find the notes, and allow you to be calm and focused during the performance." Michael is almost fearless when it comes to his music and playing piano. This competition was different though, he got nervous just as he entered the performance area where he would play for the judge. Michael plays at church sometimes, recitals, school talent shows, band performances, and for the seniors in his grandmother's apartment building. He has never felt that nervousness before and it surprised him.

When it was his turn we were lead into the choir room where the judge would hear Michael play. Of course, my husband and I were there, too, along with the performance chairperson. It was playing for that single judge that worried him, or perhaps it was the prospect of being judged. That's something that makes most of us nervous. Whatever it was caused him to lose confidence, or faith in himself, just long enough to produce a couple of rough spots in the piece, but just a couple. He recovered nicely and went on to play very well.

After the performance, the judge gave him glowing remarks and constructive criticism that Michael took very well. Coincidentally, the performance chairperson in the piano area was the Director of Bands for the high school Michael will be attending. Mr. Miller took the time to speak with Michael after the performance about what he's doing with his music, encouraging him to continue, and letting him know that Jazz Band was an actual class he could take at the HS level. At the end of the conversation he added that he was always looking for a good piano player. Watching my son being recruited, I felt like the mother of a sought-after athlete. The next Monday at school, Michael's band director let him know that Mr. Miller also spoke with him about Michael and that it was unusual for him to go out of his way to give compliments. Michael was elated. It been great for Michael and for us to see him succeed after what he thought was a flawed performance.

This enthusiasm Michael has for music is quite different from that which he has for school. He has ADD and the academic troubles that go along with it. We thought learning to play piano might help him in school so he started taking lessons at seven. School has been a real struggle for Michael and will probably continue that way, but we work at it as a family. What I do know is that he finds great joy and satisfaction in his musical ability, and that makes me happy. He knows his musical gift came from God. I believe that is why it is so easy for him to play in front of people without anxiety, for the most part. He is calm, confident, and joyful in sharing it his music with others, even looking forward to each event.

I'm also encouraging Michael to learn to rely on the Holy Spirit, to call on Him for help in school, in music, and anytime. He has already jumped out of the boat and once Michael learns to call on the HS for help in all situations he won't ever sink. Music is something that Michael can do well, no matter what happens in school. He makes people happy with it and that glorifies God. I'm convinced that Michael will be just fine in life. If he can read sheet music, (what I refer to as hieroglyphics), understand and apply musical terminology, make both hands do two different things sometimes in two different times, and make it sound beautiful, he's going to be OK. I thank God for that.

Just DO IT! Just jump out of the boat. Do what He calls you to do, and do it with all the faith that He is with you. Use your spiritual gifts the way He intends. Yes, you will sink from time to time, we all do because that's human nature. Never fear, He is always there to save you. Just DO IT!