I wouldn’t be surprised if I hold the world’s record for the slowest student of the guitar. It’s just taken me about 40 years to get to this point. A sense of rhythm, not music, comes easier… which I think was developed by learning to auction chant.
I’ve had more love for the guitar than talent. With my tendency of focusing on “running”, I can forget the basics of “walking”—as a kid, I struggled keeping the crayon inside the line. This probably didn’t help the talent development department.
I’m nowhere in the league of the great players… the weekend “slingers” … who pay their bills with their craft. I haven’t put in the stage time and study they have. I’m grateful to be able to play some stuff I thought I never would be able to—I’ve also enjoyed the studio and production experiences.
I’ve learned—you follow… pursue… that which you truly love, or else you won’t stay in the game—it’s too tempting to quit during the hard… dry… lonely times. There’s no applause in the “woodshed”. And, the more familiar one becomes with something… the less “sexy”… less thrilling… but more real and respected… it becomes.
After many years, a major break-through happens… the door opens… the dots connect… you receive the reward(s). It happens very quickly, almost like an instant, in relation to the time spent getting to that point.
There’s a cost associated—we’ve only got so much time and energy that evaporates as we live on. Time spent on one pursuit is at the expense of another—it’s not an option… we “Gotta Serve Somebody”. At the end of the day, hopefully something is gained—sales… bearing fruit… leveraged wisdom—profitability.
Like many things, playing the guitar is just one more thing to do… but, what is learned can be leveraged into value. What I’ve experienced on the guitar road applies to the most important… loved… pursuit of my life—following the Lord Jesus Christ… and then, my relationship with my wife.
God’s Word… the Holy Bible… reveals that Jesus Christ’s reward… or wrath… comes quickly depending on whether one chooses to follow Him and stay faithful and fruitful to the end of their life in this age… or… reject Him.
Yes, there’s a cost associated. We have to admit we’re a sinner, who cannot save ourselves, in need of Jesus Christ’s redemption for the forgiveness of our sins—to be made right with God. He has to become God of our life. We have to desire to live a different way of life than we’ve been. If we do, it’s worth staying on “the road” of choosing Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer and learning to live His way. Along the way… He provides the power to do so and removes our “deadwood” so we become increasingly productive… fruitful… profitable.
I say “we”… because I need to be reminded of this, if not daily, why I’ve made the decision to follow for the reward He promises—Eternal Life of experiencing love… joy… peace… justice… kindness… abundance… light… prosperity… fruitfulness… and much more. (There also might be some guitar playing—if so… I’ll have the time… like forever… to get really good at it.) Reject Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior… and, the opposite of these words will be experienced… also, forever—one will be separated from the God of Israel and all the goodness He blesses us with today.
The message of the Redemption Jesus Christ offers us never gets old in a world-at-large that wants to save themselves their way… not God’s only way—Jesus Christ. It’s not what we accumulate at “the table”… it’s what we walk away with when we cross the finish line in a… slow instant.
When you know where you’re going, the road map makes sense.
G. J. Lingus
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Revelation 22
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1
G. J. Lingus 