Why do we need perseverance?
James writes “the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” [1] At the end of our excitement about a new and different year, we find ourselves in a February fog. This fog may be difficult to get through, which is why we need perseverance to persist. Sonya Shafer has written about persistence in terms of a habit needed to accomplish something. Her example was a coast-to-coast journey through England. When reaching for such a goal, you must take one step at a time, anticipate obstacles, and surround yourself with encouragement. Read her blog post here!
Perseverance is formed by testing…
Faith can move mountains. I can envision delightful music, birthday parties that go perfectly, an accumulation of snow (please, more than half an inch!), and delicious meals. Excepting the snow, I know what steps must be taken to create good music, parties, and meals. Decisions must be made one at a time. You have to communicate. You should maintain your instruments, voice flexibility or the skill of your hands. Once you set a date and time for an end goal, keep going at a deliberate pace. Focus. Learn how to love others as you go. Will you focus on your priorities, or be distracted at every annoyance in your life? At times I get dismal at the weight of expectation I have for myself, but I can trust my loving Creator that there’s a purpose in this all. What seems like detours may just be my avenues of God’s refinement. My shoulder is aching as I type this up, but I am going to wait until the end of the sentence to get Tylenol. As I persevere in good and creative work, I will become more like the Savior I love.
How does perseverance fit into the musical mountain?
Practice may seem boring or confusing. One day you get better. The next day you don’t even want to listen to yourself. You feel overly competitive, and unwilling to accept your place on the musical mountain. There is always someone better than you- and someone worse! But your gift can not bless others if you do not enjoy your musical opportunities, and fail to decorate the air around you with beauty and order the best you can.
Take the next step on your musical journey! That step is to make music from your heart. Message me if you are aspiring to make more music, and you feel stuck without a plan for progress. Share your gift and perspective with friends, and be part of some community. Community can cheer you on to perseverance. You won’t regret it!
Doran Music Studio 