Perhaps one of the most needed characteristics of a church pianist is flexibility. Nothing ever goes exactly as planned or rehearsed. There’s an old superstition that a bad dress rehearsal is actually a sign that the first performance will go flawlessly! And vice versa. Whether the pastor asks for an extended time of prayer (with a soft piano background), the music minister decides to change the closing hymn at the last minute, or the AC kicks on and blows loose sheets of music all over the place, the church pianist must be prepared to switch to plan B at a moment’s notice.
Isn’t the same true of a Christian pursuing God’s will in their day-to-day life? To be truly in tune with the Spirit’s leading, we must be prepared for anything. Be prepared, but be ready to change our plans at a moment’s notice. Is that a contradiction?
We will talk about both sides of this ‘contradiction’ in the next few days, but for now, here’s an example of Jesus teaching His disciples to trust in Him and just be flexible. In Matthew 10, Jesus sent out the disciples to preach and heal in the surrounding towns. He told them to take nothing with them – not even a single coin or a bag with a change of clothes. He wanted them to be totally dependent on God’s provision for them, and not to trust in their own preparations. How often do we trust God that much?
Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts—no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.
Matthew 10:9-14