All the Crayons in the Box

Do you see those two boxes of crayons on my conductors stand? One a box of eight fat big ones, the other the largest box of regular size crayons with all the colors, even gold and silver.

I like to use those boxes as an illustration to inspire the singers to use all their resources to make the music as excellent as possible. After going through a section, I may hold up one or the other box of crayons and they smile, knowing what I'm getting at. "Use all the crayons in the box, not just one or two." . . .

Is there anything lovelier in this life than singing praise to God via an exquisite composition as a group of singers with one heart and mind bent toward joyful, godly excellence? If you're not sure how to answer that, join the choir at your church and find out how to use all the crayons in your box to the glory of God.

Thinking about using all the crayons reminds me of this verse from Hebrews 4 ...

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

When I am tempted to zip on past a composer's directions, or grow weary in practice, or not listen for a blend with the rest of the choir, I've laid down my crayons, went back to toddler days of scribbling with a few fat crayons. Is it a sin not to try my best? At the least, it's not using all the resources the Lord gave me.

Fortunately for those of us prone to weak moments (which is all of us at one time or another), grace abounds! We confess, are forgiven, and try again. I try to remember that example of love from our Lord as a director when it seems things are coming together unevenly or slowly; perhaps people had a long day, they carry difficulties that are hard to lay aside for rehearsal, and so on.

  

If Jesus sang in my choir, I'm sure he'd use all the crayons in the box, just like he used everything in his arsenal of imagination when he spread the starry galaxies, made a garden filled with good things, and planned for our redemption before one of these came into being. Our Lord is our ultimate example and inspiration. Thank you Lord!

For whatever it is that you find yourself assigned to doing this day, may you go at it with your whole heart, use all the crayons in your box, and rejoice at the end of the day to see what you and Jesus have brought about together.

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MUSIC LINKS

Here are a few choral pieces that illustrate how a choir works together to use all the crayons in the box ...

All that Hath Life and Breath - Rene Clausen

Light Everlasting - Olaf Christiansen, St. Olaf Choir

O What Songs of the Heart - Mack Wilberg

O Lux Aeterna - Dan Forrest