Why is it that, over time, we begin to believe that good things, beautiful things and miraculous things are scarce? That those really distinct moments in life are to be had infrequently and that our days really just consist of hard work with staggered pay-off?

I don’t believe we’re supposed to live like that. With low expectations for joy.

And I was reminded of this yesterday morning. I was playing my violin/singing with the worship band for my church. It was very early and our practice had been challenging, leaving me feeling somewhat unprepared for the 6 sets we had to play.

Just as the first set started, I noticed something fluttering around me (in and out of the beams from the bright lights). Turns out it was a big orange butterfly that had somehow entered the building (in cold Colorado morning weather). The butterfly landed right at my feet, relaxed his wings and stuck around for the entire first set. I move a lot when I play, so I was amazed that the butterfly didn’t fly away with two heeled boots threatening his life for 30 minutes.

My perspective shifted as a continued to play. Instead of focusing on the music and transitions, I was reminded that worship is much less about preparation than it is about the winsome calls of a really beautiful God who loves us.

I think it was the fact that something so simple and so misplaced, a lost butterfly that passed up everyone else in the auditorium for me, served as a reminder that no circumstances should rob us of our joy.

Posted October 29th, 2007 by Leora in music |