Marching to the Beat of a Different... Horn Player

What a proud moment in the Martin family. Their oldest was beginning that long-awaited journey into the proud tradition of the Angleton Marching Band. The great milestone here was finally marching (albeit, it was the 8th grade band) in the annual Brazoria County Fair parade. You see, band in Angleton had a proud and distinguished history, at one point marching about 350 (or more) on the field. I wanted to be a part of that, so on one very hot October day, I suited up and prepared to join the ranks of those musicians before me. My parents and grandparents coerced me into posing for the camera and marching up and down the yard. It must have looked quite funny to passersby, seeing one lone Fench Horn marching and countermarching. At a glance, it probably looked quite futile, this neighborhood marching band of one.

It reminds me of an old Simpson's episode where the rebellious son, Bart, was asked the ancient rhetorical question, "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" He thought, and then folded his fingers over his palm and began opening and closing his hand, making only a weak clapping sound. Try as we may, we are made to function in concert with others. "Going it alone" is a strong American attitude of self-reliance, but when we discount others or shut them out of our daily lives, we miss out on the added talents, strengths, and opportunities for success that they bring with them. I admit that I looked goofy that day, marching in that yard, but in the years to come I became part of a cohesive group, marching and playing in sync, and winning awards.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that Christians are not suppossed to "go it alone," but are to function as a cohesive group- the Body of Christ(1 Cor 12:26-28). We can not be just one hand trying to clap, or a single musician marching to their own beat. We are called to be the church, playing in tune with one another and following our leader Christ Jesus. Take time this week to look around at your church. Are you part of the ministry there? Have you found ways to add to the harmony of your church as they seek to serve the living Christ?