As a cellist, I am part of the orchestra, and the rehearsals are for me too. But being a church pianist is different. When I practice the piano by myself, I focus on myself and my own skills, just as with the cello. Solo practice is for me to improve and strengthen my own skills, just as individual prayer and Bible study improves and strengthens my own spiritual skills. But when I come to practice with a choir, I know that the rehearsal is really for the singers. I am the accompanist, there to serve the singers. Yes, it can help me too, to know how my part fits in with the others, but I just note that fact inwardly, and instead focus on how I can help the singers know their parts better. The rehearsal is not for me.
I’ve talked about the Paris choir and orchestra trip we took one summer. It was great fun, and we went on a dinner cruise on the Seine, took the elevators up the Eiffel Tower, and went shopping, but the primary purpose was to serve others. We endured record heat (with no air conditioning), long hours, lots of walking, language difficulties, tiny shared hotel rooms, medical issues – and yet, the entire group radiated joy and love and unity. We had a common purpose of serving others. Can that be a clue to unity in the church? When our focus is on serving others, we are not as likely to demand our own way. If only we could be that way all the time, and not just when on a trip to Paris!
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Romans 15:5-7