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choir, church, faith, fccp vocal ensemble, friendship, music, relationships, singing, treasure, values
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Luke 12:34
Today’s Gospel reading was taken from Luke 12:32-48 and the verse that struck a chord with me was the one above. What do I value most in my life? I mean, like right this very minute. Is it material possessions? Is it my awesome job? What is it that excites me and makes me want to get out of bed every morning? Is it the prospect of seeing my gorgeous work colleague? (Yeah, maybe.)
Okay, I’m going to get serious now.
Relationships
Christians are taught that we should not be attached to worldly possessions and for good reason. When we finally go back to our heavenly home, we won’t be able to take any of that with us anyway. Hand on my heart, I give utmost importance to my relationships with others. I look forward to hanging out with friends and keeping connected to family. It is no surprise then that my top two languages of love are “quality time” and “acts of service”. (See Five languages of love.) Although quite introverted – no objections, please! – I find social interaction uplifting and essential to a healthy life. I am a rich, successful, and better human being because of my family and friends.
Music
I also value music a lot. I mean, A LOT. I could not imagine a world without music. It would be so depressing! It’s funny but I am more inclined to like a new acquaintance based on his or her type of music. And I’m suspicious of people who don’t appreciate music – any kind of music – at all. I mean, come on!
Again, it’s no surprise that choir practice is the highlight of my week and that choir forms a large chunk of my life. I’m lucky to have met some pretty amazing people who not only share my interests and values but are also the most welcoming and loving bunch of crazies ever to walk the streets of Chatswood together. Haha!
When I sing at church, I am reminded of the second part of Luke 12:48 which states:
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
Whether all of us admit (or realise) it or not, we sing because we can’t help but share our God-given talents and to praise God the best way we know how. I believe there is that stirring inside each of us. There must be. There is no other explanation for it.
Ultimately, my treasure lies in the knowledge that Jesus loved me first and because of this, I can’t help but love others (and myself) even when we are sometimes unlovable*. And because He has given me the ability to sing, I am compelled to honour Him through song. I always pray that God will use me to bring people closer to Him; that by the way I live and make use of my talents, I may glorify my Saviour.
And until my last breath, I will continue to serve God through music.
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*Our Daily Bread devotional: It is impossible to love Christ without loving others.