God’s word tells us He has a plan for our lives. Often that plan begins with a desire He places in our hearts. He lights the fire within. Now how will we respond? When we find ourselves ready to fan a flame, God is there to teach us the importance of posture, positioning and preparation. 

Unmistakable. Undeniable. Unending. My love of music. It’s there. It has always been there, weaving its way through my heart and my imagination.

There was one special day I still remember when some Christian musicians came to our home, preparing along with my father, for a revival crusade. I watched with excitement from the corner of the room, listening with wonder as their voices blended in perfect harmony. Their faces expressed a joy and worship that drew me right into the room, right up to the piano that overflowed with sounds unlike any I had ever heard before from our living room.

 For me, it was like magic, the way those accompanists played. How their fingers seemed so in touch with the music God placed in their hearts…how it flowed seamlessly all over the keyboard. I doubt if my eyes could have been any bigger as I took it all in. It was as if, in that moment, God was whispering in my ear “Someday, Nancy, I will use you in that same way, to sing my praises from your heart, with your hands.”

A flame lit within the center of my soul; and it began to burn - a passion, a desire, a curiosity, a vision, and a hope. I don’t think I could even quite put it into words back then; but I knew. I just knew. And so, my musical journey began.

I remember how excited I was when my parents told me they arranged for me to begin taking piano lessons. I couldn’t wait to learn how to make music. My six-year-old imagination was swirling with possibilities. I would now have a creative way to express what was inside; I would have a place to fully experience the love, the joy, the excitement, and the warmth that God had gifted to me. It was as if I knew, even at that young age, that He had written songs in my heart, and that this would be my way to sing them. It was there – that spark, that anticipation. It was always there.

The day I longed for finally came – my first piano lesson. However, I soon discovered that my first lesson was not exactly what I imagined it would be. My mother and I rode the bus to my teacher’s house. There it was, standing on a lot all by itself. It seemed so spacious compared to the row house we lived in. As we hurried along the walkway toward the house, that sense of awe and wonder inside my heart was stirring even more, confirming in my mind that I was indeed in for something special, something really big.

A woman who introduced herself as my teacher’s mother greeted us at the front door. She invited us to take a seat in the living room while she announced our arrival. My mother settled in with a book to read as she prepared to wait for me.

Then she came in, a rather tall slender pretty young woman. I remember looking up at her with brown eyes full of anticipation, as if she were my fairy godmother, here to grant my wish and transform me into a wonderful pianist. I just knew that after our first session together I would go home and begin playing wonderful sounds. She, however, had a different lesson plan for our beginning.

She led me into her music room, and I took a seat at the piano, next to her. Then we talked. No, we didn’t play. We talked. She explained to me that there were some basic things I had to learn first before I could make the music my mind imagined. It seemed as if she spent forever talking about how to sit at the piano, where to sit, and how to hold my hands. She explained a little about how the piano was made and introduced me to the pedals, which my feet could barely touch. My determination battled with my impatience as I listened intently. 

Posture…positioning…preparation…posture…positioning… preparation. For an eager six year old, those things seemed unimportant. I just wanted to jump in and make things happen. Funny, I had my own concept of how this was to unfold. Yet, she had a different plan for me. I was about to learn not only patience and timing, but also trust in my teacher.

Before I knew it, our time came to an end. My teacher closed that first lesson by having me sit next to her as she played that beautiful grand piano, creating sounds that truly mesmerized me. I watched as her nimble fingers seemed to glide all over that keyboard with such ease, such power, such softness, so full of expression. She played with all of her being. Magic. It was almost as if I were playing with her.

I closed my eyes and saw my little fingers moving just like hers, creating such beauty. I couldn’t wait for more. I looked up at her with a heart full of hope, and she smiled down at me as she played and spoke softly, “Someday, Nancy, you will play this music as well." The flame burned a little brighter.

So it has been throughout my life. God has brought things across my path frequently to remind me of what is required of me as I seek to grow in my relationship with Him. How do I come to Him? How do I prepare for my time with Him? How do I ready myself for the experiences He has in store for me? How do I demonstrate trust in Him as my teacher? Am I in such a rush to make things happen that I don’t take time to prepare my mind? My heart?

“Be still and know that I am God,” His word says (Psalm 46:10). I do know how it feels when I allow myself a moment to just sit there quietly in front of the piano, to clear my mind and my heart as I prepare for what I am to express and experience. When I do take time to be still, I am better able to hear His voice, His melody. I begin to sense for myself what I am going to share. The emphasis then is not just on the results, but also on what happens within my own soul as the music flows. I don’t just give something to the listener. We become connected by what we experience together.

I know I need to be a good steward of the talent God has given me; and I need to ”give of my best to the Master,” as the familiar hymn encourages. Yet, it’s not simply about performing. It’s about listening closely to the music He has written on my heart, experiencing it within my soul, and then expressing that message to others in a way that encourages them to hear with their hearts as well. But it all begins with posture, positioning, and preparation.

And so I began, and continue today, to make myself ready and to wait in wonder for all that is to come. On a personal note…

* How do you come before God?
* How do you present yourself to Him?
* How do you prepare your heart and your mind for the things He wants to do in your life?
* How do you approach the experiences He has put before you as you move through each day? 

Take time to meditate on Psalm 46:10 which says “Be still and know that I am God.” Then as this day unfolds for you, as you carry out the tasks before you, consider what you are experiencing personally along the way. 

Posture…positioning…preparation. "May your journey bring you songs of joy."

   Nancy is a speaker, licensed professional counselor, life coach and consultant. She maintains a private practice in the Houston, Texas area where she guides adults in focusing on a variety of life management issues. She celebrates a marriage of almost 30 years with her husband, Solon, and is the proud mother of two young adult sons. She is active in the counseling support and music ministries of her church where she enjoys worshipping the Lord at the piano.