On New Year’s Eve Grace and I had the treat of enjoying a concert featuring classical music—Mendelsohn, Meltzer, Mozart. Yes, we enjoy classical music. As for me, I have my dad and mom to thank for that. Growing up, my brothers and I were allowed to listen to our own generation’s music. But we also had the privilege of listening to my parents’ choice of music, which included classical music. Such diverse exposure helped me to appreciate and enjoy all types of music. My parents had passed on to us a legacy of music appreciation.
Before the concert started, I couldn’t help but notice a father (perhaps in his 30’s) taking the time to go through the concert program and program notes with his daughter (around 8 years old). I could not hear a word they were saying but he also appeared to point out some things on the stage. All appearances seemed to indicate that he was passing on a legacy of music appreciation to his daughter. I could imagine her as an adult appreciating music in the way her father taught her, and maybe even passing it on to her own children.
I just wonder how much we—adult followers of Christ—actually instruct and mentor those who come after us in matters of our faith and its practice. Are we faithful and consistent in bringing them to events and activities that expose them to spiritual matters? Do we take the time to sit with them and guide them through times of worship celebration—pointing out and explaining various aspects of the worship, and being an example in the act of worship itself? Do we intentionally disciple our children in the way of the Lord?
Then my attention turned to the stage as the concert started. As I relished in the delightful sounds that caressed my ears, I also observed how the musicians gave careful attention to the conductors’ moves, submitting to the skillful movements of his baton. This was especially evident in those intricate and challenging musical passages. Their attention and submission to the conductor kept them in sync with each other and allowed them to play their parts in the way that the conductor was leading, producing truly wonderful music. And I know this was only possible because they had consistently spent time rehearsing with the conductor.
That is a picture of true discipleship. It is only when we faithfully pay attention and submit to the “moves” of the Master that our lives will produce the fruit that only he can bring out of us. And it also calls for time consistently spent with him when we learn his “moves” so that we will know what to follow, especially at the critical moments of our discipleship.
—Keith Jainga