Keeping a Pulse and Loving Others

What's on my mind today? LOVE!!!! As a musician, there is one essential element that must infuse everything - a pulse. (Now you serious musicians, try not to get side-tracked on the fact that there are melodic based songs that are 'free.') That pulse (whether you are counting 1+2+3+4+ or subdividing in your head, feeling nameless pulses in your soul - whatever the method; without a pulse the music doesn't hold together - pulse is the glue. When working with singers or handbell ringers (especially), I'm always saying, 'If you want to be a better ringer RIGHT NOW, you'll count - something!' 

And so it is with love... "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs (“keeps no score of what's gone wrong, nor sings a pessimistic song, for love expects tomorrow…” - John Bell's paraphrase). Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) 

Apply love to any situation, and improvement begins almost immediately! If you want any situation to be better right now, you'll love - in all circumstances! Think about what the world would be like if we all used this as a guideline - really used it! Not just tossed the word 'love' around to pretty things up, but sacrificially gave our love in response to anything that comes our way -- sounds hard and it is hard, but we can live in response to God's love and that spurs us toward living in love more fully. We can love because God first loved us.

Whether in keeping a pulse or loving others, I am reminded today (and need constant reminding) that I have tools that are at my disposal to improve music (with keeping a pulse) and approach any moment with love (infusing it into every situation). All I need to do is practice, practice, practice and practice some more. Each day - every day, until I get it right... 

Thank you, Lord, for calling me to something more - calling me to use what you have placed in my heart - a pulse and the capacity to love others - even when it's not easy. Use me, Lord for what brings you joy and what brings others closer to you. Amen.