Last night our youngest son Bryson performed in a choir concert at the high school. Music is one of his greatest passions and he is very talented! Through junior high, he was a tenor – he could hit the high notes with precision.
But about a month ago, that all changed. For him, it was not a gradual change, it happened over night. He was getting ready for solo and ensemble competition – one day he sounded like a baritone and the next, he had changed to a bass.
His choir director told us that when he opened his mouth that day, she stopped him and asked, “Who are you and what have you done with Bryson?” The way she describes it, he now has a 275 pound linebacker voice in a 130 body. And through her coaching and training, he as transitioned beautifully. He has the control of someone much older. We are extremely proud of him and very thankful for Ms. Groll.
As I think about all that has transpired and Ms. Groll’s comments, I am reminded of a fundamental truth. Life is full of change and we are no exception. We age, we change jobs, we grow relationships and lose others, we gain weight (and in my case, lots of it), our hair changes color – our lives are full of change.
But God looks beyond all that and focuses on the heart. Psalm 51 talks about how God speaks to us in our inner most being and what God wants from us is not a bunch of activity but rather, a pure heart. A heart that is focused on pleasing God is more important than anything we could “do.”
God is more concerned about who we become than what we do.
So regardless of how we may be changing on the outside, what is on the inside is what counts.
Bryson’s voice may have changed and that has been a good thing, but his heart is still as pure as ever and that matters more than anything!
Read Full Post »
Clay in the Hands 