Thought's from a Musician's Heart

PRAISE ME by Constance Fee

To provide context for Thoughts From a Musician’s Heart, perhaps you can relate to some thoughts from this musician’s mind. Whether you are a performing artist, a teacher, or both, Spring is an intensely busy time of the year for all of us: rehearsals, coachings, concerts, operas, recitals, program edits, auditions, recording sessions, performances, juries, lessons, canceled lessons, rescheduled lessons, evaluations, final projects, rep sheets, planning meetings, faculty meetings, board meetings,….

The competition between the urgent and the important, both of which need and deserve serious attention and contemplation, is constant: Will that huge project I’ve been working on for 5 ½ years in my “spare” time, the one that weighs so heavily on my heart, ever reach a conclusion? Is this the time when I should I be thinking about selling my house? With all the upheaval and uncertainty in the world, will there ever be a return to normal? Normal? Wait… what was that? Remember when integrity used to be a thing? Where did I put my phone?! Why did my laptop freeze and refuse to work at the precise moment I sat down to write these words? Am I giving my 100-year-old Dad all the care and attention he needs? Can I mend the relationship that was strained due to neglect during the pandemic? Does that private student need more encouragement? Have I given that senior every bit of advice she needs before she leaves for grad school? Am I ready for my own performance next week? Did I confirm my travel plans for the summer? Do I have enough time to organize, do laundry, pack, clean before I have to leave?

But…. more important than anything else demanding my attention: Am I seeking Your will? Am I obeying You? Am I putting You first in everything? The moment I do, these thoughts flood my heart and I can go to sleep in the back of the boat: Praise Me. Rest in Me. Be still and KNOW that I AM GOD. Where your strength ends, Mine begins. Praise Me. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Set your heart on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Praise Me. You can do all things through Christ Who strengthens you. Praise Me. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Praise Me. I will never fail you or forsake you.

Be anxious for nothing but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think on these things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from Me, or seen in Me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Phil. 4:6-9)