My friend asked me to go to a middle school orchestra concert at the McNeil High School Performing Arts Center. My first response was \u201cNo, thank you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I said \u201cno\u201d because I remembered the band concerts that my son played in when he was in middle school. He played the saxophone and, Lord, have mercy, that concert was by no means easy on the ears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Though my husband and I were proud as we could be of our saxophonist, we still had to endure the squeaks and squawks of the woodwinds and brass instruments. I relented when my friend promised this would not be like the band concert. For one thing, this orchestra is all stringed instruments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The beautiful auditorium was packed with proud parents recording their youngsters. The mom in front of us had her phone camera on the entire (beginner) 6th & 7th graders performance. She proudly told me her daughter was the harpist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To my surprise, this beginner orchestra blew me away with their excellent performances. After much applause at the conclusion of each musical number, and after their last performance, they left the stage and the older, more accomplished 7th and 8th grade students took their places. This photo and video link below are those students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have been to two Austin Symphony Orchestra performances, so I wasn\u2019t expecting the professionalism, attentiveness, finesse or the musical expertise of these \u201cchildren\u201d. I was spellbound and amazed. My friend\u2019s friend, the conductor, is Nathan Ledgerwood, the conductor for over 15 years of the Walsh Middle School orchestra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even more than the excellent performance of the \u201cupper\u201d middle school students, I recognized how these children sat on the front of their chairs, posture-perfect, with their eyes held to the conductor\u2019s baton and every movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The placement of every chair was in direct eyes\u2019 view of their conductor. With precision, I noticed at the start how, as soon as he raised his baton, each student sat tall holding their instrument in the position to start. The conductor set the tempo, ensured the various instruments were played in-sync exactly when they were supposed to play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the end of the concert, to top it off, several of the students who are graduating to high school, gave impressive speeches about the conductor. He was given the highest praises and compliments by those students who admired him so much. One said \u201cHe is more than a teacher and conductor. He is our friend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I segue here to talk about OUR Conductor \u2013 He Who is in full view for us to keep our eyes on Him. He, Who is our Teacher, Conductor and Friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maybe some-one or some-thing is keeping us from seeing our Conductor. Maybe our financial or health situation or the stress and press of \u201clife\u201d is blocking our view. The point is \u2013 anything that keeps our eyes from seeing our Conductor is what causes our faith to wane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The anxiety of our circumstances can keep us from focusing on our Lord. \u201cTrust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.\u201d Proverbs 3:5-6. When we keep our eyes on Him \u2014 He will handle the symphony of our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we\u2019re drawn to focus on and spend time with our Conductor and stay in fellowship with HIM, spending time in His Word and thinking about HIM, the answers we need will come. Then our music will reflect His tempo, His starts, and His finishes of our symphony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n