GIVE IT A TRY

“and find out what pleases the Lord,” says Ephesians 5:10, NIV.

Have you played or even tried to play a musical instrument? If you still have not, please give it a try. What would it take to make you pick up a musical instrument, like a clarinet, and learn to play music with it?

In my case, I learned to play clarinet when I was in elementary school, not out of fun and convenience nor by my choosing but out of necessity and something I had to do. In the beginning, I remember strongly resisting my clarinet teaching lessons with my “Tatay” – a Filipino term for Dad.  My dad was a clarinet player, one of the best clarinet players in his marching band at the University and in the town’s band, St. Peter Band and Banda Pula – Original – his family-owned bands. That’s enough to intimidate a young boy, plus the fact that it was not my idea to pick up lessons to learn to play clarinet in the first place.

I admire my dad’s determination to teach me, and his patience bore fruit in me beyond my expectations. By playing clarinet, my high school and college studies were free because of my scholarship as a member of the school’s marching band. I also did not have to pay for a new clarinet because I was able to use my dad’s. Even more, I passed on these skills and talents to my daughter, Kiyah, who also turned out to be a good clarinet player in school.

What if I didn’t cooperate with my dad? What if I allowed my fear to stop me from doing what my dad knows is best for me? What if I didn’t use the skills and talent I learned well and dropped it like a hot potato on the ground? What would I have missed if I had ignored a new opportunity to learn something that helped me achieve a bright future?

How about in your case? Is there something in front of you that, if you choose to pick it up, might bring joy and success in your life, now and in the future? Is it a career choice? Love life? Or, a sport to play or a movie to watch? Is it something that scares you, and what should you do to overcome your fear? Are you asking, what if it didn’t work in my favor? Just think about this for a moment – could you give it a try? Remember, as the saying goes, “There is no harm in trying.” Who knows if that could be it that would bless you and what pleases the Lord, our God.

May you find the courage to pick up what’s in front of you. Believe in yourself and trust in God to bless you with wisdom and courage to use it to favor yourself, your family, and the world.

Prayer Song:

Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee. Amen.