Whom Do You Have?
As church musicians, we are SO blessed! We have work which is critically important, eminently worth doing. It continues to be “a high and holy calling.” The sheer privilege of what we are about is in itself so motivating.
Further we are daily encouraged simply by the materials we use, those items of tangible beauty and spiritual value-texts and music which inspire, deepen understanding, change and uplift us as humans. For church musicians, these are some of the gifts by which the Spirit of Christ “calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies” us and our vocation.
Still, when we are honest, we can admit there are times when we feel alone, undervalued, even misunderstood. This emotional state can be found within our family & friends, our congregation and staff, in our increasingly secular culture and even in our church’s culture. We can pray with the psalmist “Whom have I in heaven but you?” (73:25a) and, at the same time, wonder to ourselves “Yeah, but what about here on earth?”
It is reassuring, of course, that Jesus, who is present among us in our gathering and in his Word and sacraments, experienced these same feelings. Whether unappreciated within his own family, not fully recognized by his disciples and followers, and even, on the cross, abandoned by his Father, he knows fully the weaknesses of our human condition. That is why he redeemed us and loves us still.
But we are also, in our created nature, meant for relationships. This is true, not only with family and our circle of friends, but also within our vocation. As a former pastor would always say, “It’s a wonderful mystery-when we share sorrows, they are diminished, but when we share joys, they are multiplied.” Professors of psychology remind us that talking with trusted friends helps us to process stressful events and lifts our self-esteem. Scientific research even shows positive effects on the brain and body. It’s built into our DNA.
Take time to connect with other church musicians. It can be coffee on Friday with one or two cantors in your area. It can be an online group. (CIVA-Christians in the Visual Arts-has “Heart to Heart” groups for this same purpose.) There are conferences, organizations like the ALCM and, of course, the Center for Church Music. So many opportunities for sharing, advocacy, encouragement, ideas, resources, stories-wow!
So…whom do you have? As it turns out, a lot of folks! People who “get” you, value and understand first hand what you do. Take time to receive those blessings from people around you!
Barry Bobb
Director
