Feeling like Pete this morning
I have a friend, Pete Hedrick, that I have known for a long time. I was introduced to Pete years ago by Doug and Cindy Jones, dear friends that have been through many adventures with us over the years. Pete is a great musician, a really fine drummer, and a very versatile guitar player. He has a passion for music, especially contemporary Christian/Praise and Worship music. He has been leading worship as long as I have known him and is a faithful warrior for the Lord (and a heck of a bass fisherman).
We served together in several ministries and I always respected Pete's opinions and taste for music. One day we as a group were between ministries and discussing our next move as a musical family. We were all philosophizing the merits of here and there and discussing our options and it came to Pete's turn to share, He said something so simple, yet so profound.
I just want to play.
Where, when, what, why, who? These things took second place to the single desire to play. As musicians we sometimes take advantage of the wonderful outlet we have for expressing ourselves, the gift God gave us to play music. Then the day comes when all of the sudden, that outlet is gone. Situations change, people come and go, jobs take us away from our musical groups, or you just get older and nobody wants to use you anymore.
It is a situation unique to worship leaders in contemporary music these days. Churches want young, vibrant worship led by young exciting worship leaders like my son Daniel and his wife Hannah. More seasoned players and lead worshippers are put out to pasture and sometimes without much warning.
What is the answer? Go back to the secular world where is doesn't matter how much gray hair you have? Go find something else to occupy your time? Get over it? These are all things that get suggested to you. The Bible says that the Calling of God is without repentance, meaning it is irrevocable. It is not something that you just let go of that easily.
So there it is in a nutshell.
I just want to play.
