Devotional 9-28-12

Win Place or Show

 I certainly will not be in the running for the award given to the band parent who has attended the most high school band competitions, but I have certainly been to several.  Mobilizing a marching band is not unlike putting a military force in motion; neat fitting uniforms, equipment vehicles, tools for the mission and loads of preparation. At these competitions, I have been witness to bands that were indeed of collegiate quality, bands that absolutely delivered a stellar performance and ‘also rans’. Some came from far away, some from right in the same county. Some bands have large numbers, some not so much. Some bands have members who have all memorized their music, some carry small folders containing the sheets of music required to get through the show. I would be a terrible band competition judge; I would give everyone top marks due to their effort, their enthusiasm, their devotion to the group and well, because they showed up.  It would be hard to select a winner that way.  Kind of like church. Come from near or far, memorize Bible verses or not, all are winners.

This past Saturday I saw maybe the coolest thing I have ever seen at one of these competitions. The band had taken the field, the music began and the marching started. All at once I noticed what seemed to be two people standing in one location. As I followed this image, low and behold it was two people – in the same spot. The trumpet player, in full uniform, was blind.  The young lady behind him, also in full uniform, was grasping his uniform near the shoulder blades and was ‘guiding’ him throughout the formation.  They moved as one.  He didn’t trip on her, and she did not push or tug him in a direction that he was not already ready to move. They marched, walked and crabbed sideways in step. It was incredible to watch. He had clearly put forth the effort to learn the music and to learn the sets. (I learned that word from my band student.)  She had also taken the time and commitment to learn the movements of the show. She believed in him, and he trusted her. Kind of like church. We study and learn but still may not have a complete picture of what is unfolding. A more experienced Christian ‘takes us by the shoulders’  and guides us along, interpreting scripture, offering a valued opinion or giving advise so that we don’t trip or bump into things. They believe in us and we trust them.

Steve Matthews