When the Music Fades

I haven't blogged in a few days, and I'm not really sure what to write about, so I decided to finally post that devotion I talked about a couple of weeks ago in response to the band meeting that caused me so much stress. This was right after we got back from California, so that's what's up with the California references. Here goooooes:

"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!'"

"'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'"

Luke 10: 38-42

Do you consider yourself first a Newfoundlander or a Canadian?

When Josh, Aaron, Dustin, and I first arrived in California, we were quickly labeled as Canadians. However, after only a few days, many of our new friends affectionately referred to us as Newfies. I am proud to consider myself a Newfoundlander before a Canadian.

I have another question that is entirely similar, yet entirely different: Do you consider yourself first a member of the Salvation Army or a Christian?

Grace for the Moment says of the story about Martha and Mary:

"Martha is worried about something good. She's having Jesus over for dinner. She's literally serving God. Her aim was to please Jesus. But she made a common, yet dangerous mistake. As she began to work for him, her work became more important than her Lord. What began as a way to serve Jesus slowly and subtly became a way to serve self . . . She has forgotten that the meal is to honour Jesus, not Martha . . . "

"It's easy to forget who is the servant and who is to be served."

The Salvation Army possesses a form of ministry that no other denomination or faith on earth can boast. But it's easy to forget who is the servant and who is to be served:

Is it right that we can spend an hour and a half rehearsing with the band every week (plus the hours of practicing we all do at home - hehe), but struggle to arrive at church twenty minutes early to tune our hearts for worship? Is it right that countless Youth Groups and College and Careers Snacks go by without a moment of prayer or a word of scripture? Is it right that we spend three hours worshiping within our own doors every Sunday, but hesitate to minister to struggling citizens in low income areas of town during the summer months?

And I'll go back to the original question: Do you consider yourself first a member of the Salvation Army or a Christian?

When we go to work or school each day, do our friends and colleagues see us as Salvationists - cornet virtuosos and end-chair trombonists, obstaining from casual drinks and minor hockey raffles and all that's evil in this world - or do they see Christians - forgiving as He forgave us, loving as He loves us. When we go to bed each night, are we living for William Booth or for the Lord? And, when we finally reach the end of this great journey, will we stand before Jesus Christ as Salvationists or as Christians?