I have been honored to play with many excellent musicians in my life. Singers, drummers, bassists, guitarists, keyboardists and horn players-all of the encounters have blessed me with fond memories and contributed to my musical growth. While many of these sessions were collaborating on gigs or performances, others were informal jam sessions. During these jams literally any genre of music may be approached-think folk meets punk rock and the seemingly endless possibilities begin to emerge.
The key to a successful jam session is finding a common link, a musical bridge between disparate styles and approaches. One memorable encounter I had was with a keyboard player. He had a knack for inserting musical quotes into his improvisations. Familiar snippets of melodies of contemporary songs wound their way through his intricate reworkings of the songs we were playing. I enthusiastically responded and attempted to quote other songs. At one point, we were both quoting the same Beatle song, weaving the familiar melody atop a completely different harmonic background. Flashing a smile at each other while we played, we found our link, our musical connection.
So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.
Acts 17:22-23 (ESV)
When the Apostle Paul entered the city of Athens, he carefully observed and studied his surroundings. He found a spiritual link, a connection to their citizens, by observing their objects of worship. He wisely proclaimed that one of their gods was, in reality, the One True God, not made by human hands. He eloquently presented the Good News of Jesus Christ and connected with a few prominent citizens who accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
If we pray to Him, God will always give us a spiritual link to anyone seeking the Truth. The Holy Spirit, who dwells within all believers, transforming and conforming us into the image of Jesus Christ, will also work in lives of all who are seeking the Truth.
In music, if one is willing to listen carefully, a connection often be made. In God, if one is willing to prayerfully listen and be sensitive to the needs of others, the Holy Spirit will provide the connection and lead the true seeker to the doorway to eternal life and salvation through faith and belief in Jesus Christ.
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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