Playing in a symphony orchestra for many years I have had the opportunity to perform under various conductors who sometimes interpreted the music differently and have had the privilege of playing many beautiful and often challenging masterpieces. Though much practice time is put into preparing for performances, that does not guarantee the masterfully written concertos and symphonies, and other orchestrations get perfectly performed. Though getting all the notes, observing all the crescendos and decrescendos and fortes and pianissimos and every level in between, and highlighting accidentals and key changes so they don’t get missed is the aim, some things get missed. Because of this there is thankfulness for the grace of audiences understanding the challenges of live performances. Even some of my own personal solo playing on various instruments has been more about the joy of music than about perfection. Still, in the playing is the focus on what master composers have written.
Someone recently posted the following: “Just because someone plays Beethoven badly doesn’t mean Beethoven was a bad composer. Just because someone lives the Christian life poorly doesn’t mean that Jesus isn’t worth following. God doesn’t ask you to be like Christians; He asks you to be like Jesus Christ. That’s a big difference. (Bob Russell)
As Paul viewed his own life, he did not do so with a feeling of having arrived at full maturity in Christ. (Philippians 3:12) However, he continued to center his focus on the Master as he pressed on. (Philippians 3:13-14) With this in mind, Paul urged. . .
“(15) Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. (16) Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” (Philippians 3:15-16 ESV)
What we have come to know we are to aim to be and do. Then our focus needs to remain on where we grow from there. This is to be done with our focus fixed on Jesus as the Master of our life. Such is a reflection of our continued moving toward what and who we have been called to be in Christ.
In his first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul stated. . .
“(11) Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV)
Though living as a good example to the glory of the Lord is important for us to keep in mind, in our humanness we don’t always get it right. No one does. In light of this we ought to be gracious toward one another as we desire the same graciousness toward us. However, Jesus being the perfect example of how life is to be lived and acknowledging how our life is to be lived to ultimately draw the attention of others to Him, let us keep our focus fixed on Him as the Master of our life!
Neither you nor I are Jesus, though our aim should remain toward walking in His steps. (1 Peter 2:21) Therefore, in spite of our imperfection, may our sincere love for the Master continue becoming more and more evident as we point others to Him as the Master Example for us all!
Have a great day STRIVING TO LIVE THE LIFE COMPOSITION OF CHRIST!
Carl
