Lancaster Church of the Brethren Senior Choir

Let me mention one such occasion. I was one of approximately one hundred voices singing a performance of the German Requiem by Brahms. We were accompanied by a full orchestra. A particularly exciting section of that work includes the words from St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians where he says: "Behold, I show you a mystery. We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed in a moment; in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump. And the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible." With trumpets blaring, the choir sings these words again and again.

As my soul was transported to new heights, this thought came to me. "Wouldn't it be great when the time comes to join the choir triumphant, if I could pass over into the next world while singing this great work?" For a brief moment, I lost all fear of death. How much more meaningful words become when they are set to music by one of the great masters.

My wife and I sang in church choirs for more than 30 years. We decided early on to make the choir our number one commitment. In all those years we never missed a rehearsal or a performance unless we were ill or out of town. That commitment was a real source of joy for us down through the years. Unfortunately, due to physical constraints, Mary has found it necessary to retire from the church choir.

What would my life have been like if I had not given all those years to singing in the choir? My spiritual life would have been a lot poorer. My mental state would have been a lot more agitated. Who knows what that would have done to my physical well-being? Of course, the music is important to me, but what has truly made a difference in my life is making an all-out commitment to something larger than myself.

I know that my calling is not necessarily your calling. But, when the call to service does come, you would do well to respond. You cannot respond positively to every calling, nor make every cause your number one priority. I challenge you to look at your life, and choose one thing, and pledge your very being to that cause. You will find that this kind of commitment sets a path to your own personal fulfillment. May God's grace empower you to serve him more fully.