22 December
1 Samuel 1:24-28 | 1 Samuel 2:1,4-8 | Luke 1:46-56
Hannah said, ‘Now I make him over to the Lord for the whole of his life. He is made over to the Lord.’ There at the temple of the Lord, she left Samuel, for the Lord. (1 Samuel 1:28)
Hannah asked the Lord for a child, and promised him in turn to the Lord. Samuel turned out to be a great prophet indeed.
Which is more than I can say for myself.
My wife reminded me after Christmas practice last night that I’d originally asked two ladies to cantor the Adeste Fideles for the night, but only had one of them sing during our rehearsal. Apparently, I was so busy trying to work out how to have fruitful under-half-strength rehearsals, that I forgot to write it down weeks ago, and naturally suffered a “senior moment” in the middle of yet another vocal rearrangement.
Evidently, I have no trouble playing a supporting role, coaching and encouraging others “in the trenches”, but when it comes time to lead, the cold logical half of my brain falls out and rolls into a dark corner, thus releasing the passionate side in a Charge of the Lone Ranger, to the consternation of everyone else.
They say that if you can’t do what you love, at least try to love what you do. I love to sing praises to God, there’s no doubt about that, but after more than twenty often-frustrating years at the helm, I wonder if I’ve been doggedly carrying the wrong cross all this time.
Sigh.
Lord, I’ve tried to answer Your call through all these years, but I’m still lost in the wilderness.
Guide me, Lord, that I may guide others.
Heal me, Lord, that I may bring healing to others.
And if it is Your will that I should now take up a different cross in Your Name, give me the wisdom and courage to leave this choir in good order, so that none of their love and fervor to sing your praises shall be lost.
Amen.
O come, of all the nations King
The world awaits Thy ransoming
Remove our hate and faithlessness
Unite us who Thy Name confessRejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel