The lights have been turned low except for the stage area…the grand piano has been moved center stage….all is ready for an evening of beautiful music. The audience is quiet, expectant, excited to see the youth of the church share their talents after many months of lessons, practice, more lessons, and even more practice. Some are beginners as young as six (6); some are almost seasoned veterans – seniors performing for their last time as a part of this group. The audience is primarily parents and friends; their excitement is tinged with just a little bit of worry and some concern that all will go well. The program stated that the musicians would be performing a mix of musical pieces from all around the world on several different instruments: violins, cellos, trombones…not just the piano – an amazing variety for such a small group.

The first performer moves across the stage and takes her place at the piano. She is beautiful – tonight especially – wearing a long gown for the occasion with her hair flowing down her back as she faces away from the audience. She lifts her hands to the keyboard and begins…stirring beautiful music from the middle east….but then she stops after only a few minutes. It is clear that the notes have just vanished from her mind….nerves have seemingly gotten the best of her. She pauses, moves her hands to her lap, but then looks helplessly to her teacher sitting down to the right on the first row.

Her teacher nods, “start again” and so she does.

But, once again, the young lady gets to the second stanza or so and stops. My heart is in my throat – oh my – will she be able to push through and finish? Please, Lord, I pray, give her strength and help her to remember the notes. Again, she looks to her teacher for guidance.

“Would you like your book?” her teacher asks. She nods a “yes” and the teacher moves quietly up to the stage with the music book. The young lady takes her music, opens the folder quickly, finds her page, hands on the keys now, she plays the piece through without hesitation – beautifully and flawlessly. That little bit of encouragement and support was all that she needed in that moment.

I breathed a sigh of relief on her behalf and said a little prayer of thanks. I’m sure I was not the only one to do so. As the young lady rose from the piano, faced the audience, gave a bow, and received well-earned applause, I was so very thankful that she had found the courage to continue in the face of difficulties.

Lately, I’ve been thinking of this recital and this performance that started with hesitation but ended so beautifully. The teacher handled things exactly in the right way – never chiding or fussing – just offering silent encouragement and assistance prompting her to begin again….and finally, bringing up the music book.

This has reminded me of my own struggles with my faith and ministries. I do the studies and I learn the lessons. I know that God wants me to be a “doer of the word” and not just a learner. James 1:22 is quite clear in that respect. James also says in chapter 1, verse 5, “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to hi.

Then, just when I think I’ve got it all together and I’m ready to go, I find myself doubting again, at a stalling point, sort of spiritually paralyzed, unable to do anything at all. I pause, I wait, I try to figure out how best to move forward, I try to figure out things on my own and nothing comes…so I wait some more. I know that God is with me and strengthens me, but I’m stuck – my hands in my lap, looking at the keys, wondering if the music will come.

I keep waiting but, really, the answer is right there in front of me; or, rather it is inside of my heart – for the Holy Spirit is there. I need to look to him for the encouragement that I need. Like the music teacher at the recital, he will prompt me to just “start again” and when I stall again, as I’m sure that I will, he is there to pray with me and to pray for me. Ultimately, he will help to turn me back to the “book”, back to scripture for the answers that I know are there.

While it is all very simple, it seems so complicated and unreachable when you’re stalled and can’t see what to do. The Holy Spirit is there to teach us, to comfort us, and to encourage us. He is ever with me and, when I fall, he picks me up, turns me back to scripture and back to prayer. As long as He is there…I sure that the music will never ever leave me….and he is always, always, with me.