My high school classmate gave me a thoughtful graduation gift before we both left for college. It was a book entitled, “If They Ask You, You Can Write A Song.” Surprisingly, it is still in print.
If They Ask You, You Can Write a Song: Kasha, Al, Hirschhorn, Joel
Written by two multi-award winning songwriters, the book delves into the nuances of songwriting and provides valuable tools to enable anyone to begin composing their own songs.
In high school, I was immersed in music. I played guitar in the jazz band and was the concertmaster for our orchestra. I was the music director for our senior class musical. It was a reasonable assumption by my classmate that I would continue my musical pursuits and possibly pursue songwriting. Ironically, I never did. However, I did enjoy the book and absorbed many insightful points which I still utilize as a foundation when I analyze songs. Just as important, some of the lessons transcended music and one pearl, the proper choice of words to set the appropriate tone, has always stuck in my mind and still influences my writing to this present day, both with these blogs and in my profession as a physician.
Many people are blessed with talents that could be used for a variety of future careers. King David began life as a shepherd. If God did not choose David to be King of Israel, he undoubtedly would have remained a shepherd and probably we would not know much about him.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalms 23:1-4 (NKJV)
These familiar and beloved verses are more meaningful when we understand that much of David’s formative years was spent as a shepherd. He never forgot the lessons that God taught him during countless lonely and dangerous days and nights overseeing his flock. As Israel’s greatest King, he recognized that he was as helpless as a sheep and needed continual guidance and direction from his Great Shepherd. Thousands of years later, Jesus Christ used the same metaphor.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
John 10:11 (NKJV)
In God’s Kingdom, skills and lessons we learn early in life are never wasted or discarded.
If God asks you, you can use any skill or life lesson to serve Him.
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 