I used to play for weddings frequently. Often this involves playing prelude music for fifteen or twenty minutes until it is time for the bride’s party to march down the aisle. That part is enjoyable, playing through a variety of gentle, delicate classical pieces or meaningful love songs. I have a specific amount of time to play, and I can select the music ahead of time to fill in that time exactly. Then, when the bridesmaids are ready to walk in, I switch to a different piece, often of the bride’s choosing, and wait for all of the bridesmaids, and then the flower girl and/or ring bearer to get to the front.
This is the tricky part. We will have practiced the day before, but on the wedding day, no one does things the same way. They walk faster. Or they walk slower. The flower girl refuses to move and sits down and pouts. The ring bearer stomps angrily down the aisle in cut-time. All while I’m playing the same piece over and over again until it’s time for the bride. Do I move on to a bridge section and play something a bit different for a few measures, or do I stay on the chorus where I can stop anywhere and not make it sound like I just stopped in the middle of the piece? I worry that the guests are as tired as I am of this music by now.
But I keep playing until I get the signal to stop – I can see the bridal party is where they should be, and the doors have been opened for the bride to make her regal entrance. I know it is time to switch to her song and play until she gets to the front of the church. I am not playing a solo. The focus is not on me. I play my part, but the timing is up to the bride.
God doesn’t usually give us a glaring sign to tell us when it’s time to stop waiting and time to move ahead. Not a visible sign, like when the doors open and the bride appears. But there are other ways to know when we’ve found the right doorway and the time is right. I’ll give a few more detailed suggestions in the next few days, but by listening and watching, based on our solid foundation that we have built in relationship with God, we can know when He is telling us the door has been opened.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7