OUT OF STEP

When I was a high school sophomore my position on the brass line in the marching band was shifted two spots to the left just moments before we went on-field for the homecoming halftime show.  That meant an adjustment of four steps in all of my lateral choreography and two less steps forward.  No huge problem, except for the fact that we were marching in the dark. 

Our band director had this zany idea of taping flashlights to our ankles up under our band pants.  The idea was to position off-field beyond the goal posts with our lights ‘on’, then when the stadium lights were dimmed we would march onto the field to do our show, our lights shining like tiny hooves against our white vinyl spats in the darkness. 

My difficulty came in the repositioning, as I was unaware that a ninety degree left turn would put me directly in line with the goal post upright.  I made the turn in the dark, and wham-o!   The bell of my trumpet smacked hard against the goal post… so hard it bent the bell outward.  I quickly stepped out of formation, turned off my lights, and attempted to straighten my horn.  After straightening the bell (and kinking it), I snapped on my lights and fumbled to find my place back on the line, but I never got back into step.

Interruptions to a normal routine can easily throw us out of step.   There are days of planned ministry activities that are thwarted by unplanned incidents that redirect our schedules.  Like the bent bell of my horn, our attitudes can become misaligned if we fail to recognize that the Lord orders the events of our days.  We just need to follow His leading and keep pace with what He’s designed for us to do.

We value your prayers as these last several years of ministry have confronted us with many adjustments.  –Dealing with family losses, aging loved ones moved to care facilities, assisting our daughter in the journey of finding a kidney donor, dissolving relatives households, and embracing many other unforeseen circumstances while maintaining a full ministry agenda certainly has brought many challenges to us.  But we can sense a peace amid the trials of life as we reckon on the fact that many of you are bearing us up before the Lord in prayer.

In step/out of step… God is ever faithful.