“So, Dad...how's life?”
My daughter seemed a bit bored as we were taking a walk to the local Starbucks Coffee shop, and asked the question simply to get me to talk. She knew that it would work every time.
“Well, life is like a big performance on stage...without a dress rehearsal. You only get to do it once, so it's important to make the best of every moment that we have. Actually, life is more like sight-reading....”
I thought that the analogy of sight-reading instrumental music would be easily understandable for her, as she took several years of piano lessons, and now plays flute in her middle school band and in a local youth wind ensemble. Sight-reading instrumental music means that one plays a piece of music for the first time (often not having any preconceived idea of how it is supposed to sound like) while simultaneously reading the notes on the music score. Most novice musicians initially find sight-reading difficult, as it requires one to read several beats of music ahead of the notes being played, in order that the proper sequence of notes, choices of various alternate fingerings, dynamics (loudness), and any additional techniques can be planned and performed flawlessly. A skilled musician can actually hear the upcoming measures of the music before they are being played. It requires both attention to the present and preparation for the moments ahead.
Just as it is necessary to “read ahead” when sight-reading music, it is also important to consider the paths before us when we journey through life. One does not try to board a plane without first purchasing a ticket, and ought not try to buy a car without knowing how to pay for it. Certain careers require years of preparation to obtain the necessary qualifications simply to enter training. Although Jesus taught that we ought not worry about the future, as all things are in God's hand, he did not forbid us from planning ahead and making preparations. Worrying is not the same thing as planning ahead and being prepared. In fact, the familiar “woman of noble character” that is described in Proverbs 31 indicated that she...
...gets up while it is still night;
... provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. (v. 15)
...sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. (v.18)
...has no fear for her household (when it snows); for all of them are clothed in scarlet. (v. 21)
...is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. (v. 25)
...watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. (v.27)
May we not fail to scan the notes, beats and measures ahead as we travel in our life's journeys. May we hear the music in advance, and prudently plan our paths according to what God reveals to us through His word.
The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,
but the folly of fools is deception.
(Proverbs 14:8)
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