Practice makes........

 Over the past month plus, I have spent more time in practice on the organ than I have in many years. You may be asking, "But Craig, you're an organist. Don't you practice?" Not enough. I enjoy playing the organ, and have always enjoyed it, but it really hadn't been my passion for a long time. In my mind, if there were one or two areas that I could focus in on in what I do, it would be contemporary music and handbells. Recently, a few issues came up with my church's praise team, some of it was my doing, some of it wasn't, and because of it, I have chosen to step back in that area. It saddens me that an area that I love, am very passionate about and spent much time and energy learning and developing is now out of my hands.

 In stepping back from this, I realized that I could only control what I could control. The praise team issue was out of my control. What I could control was the groups in front of me, and more specifically, myself as a musician. I have spent more time focused on pouring into others and encouraging them to be better, that I neglected myself. Sure, I did just enough to be passable, but not the best I could be. And most certainly not challenging myself to be better. I did what I do best. I made excuses. "The organ isn't what I want it to be. The congregation accepts and compliments my "good enough". If there isn't an expectation of more, why should I waste my time?"

 I quickly realized in reading Jon Acuff's book "Start" and being a part of his Facebook "Start Experiment" that this was the worst possible thinking. I'm capable of much, much, much more, and the only thing holding myself back is.......yep, you guessed it. Me. So, I've challenged myself, and over the past month already, there's been much improvement in my playing. I'm looking ahead to the next two months of pieces that I have challenged myself to play, and even am strongly considering a Christmas organ concert.

 It's a lesson we all know, whatever field we're in. God has given us talents and abilities. And that only goes so far. What do we do with them? Do we challenge ourselves to build and develop them? Do we practice them? Or are we comfortable with "good enough"? I'm tired of "good enough". I want to be the best I can be. Not because it makes me look special. No matter how much practice I do, I'll still make mistakes. But, God has given me a gift to play music, and I need to be the best steward that I can with it. I haven't in the past, but I have learned those lessons and choose to be better. I choose to be the best that I can be.