Rules of Civility #7 -"Put not off your clothes in the presence of others nor go out your chamber half drest."
.....this rule equally applies to those who would wear your pjs to Wal*Mart.......
What can be achieved in a decade? If you were to pose this question to people you would be assured of getting any number of answers. Politicians will give you their interpretation of what could be achieved in a decade if you were to listen to them and their ideas. In fact, President Kennedy painted a vision of what could be done in a decade if the proper resources and urgency were placed together....."First, I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth." (May 25th, 1961). This type of determination accompanied with a timeline led to the accomplishment of achievements that had never been seen.
"One Giant Leap For Mankind"
The music industry is replete with acts and artists who were unable to achieve longevity. In the space of 10 years, multitudes of musicians find their way onto the charts only to see their next album or single have less than chart busting success and they soon find themselves fading away into musical obscurity. Think about the music that you listened to between the time you were 20 and 30. How many of those acts are still around producing music that sells? Admittedly, The Notes tends to highlight musical acts that have been successful for more than a decade. However, longevity in the music industry is not necessarily indicative of the impact that a musical act can bring to the culture. Ellen Naomi Cohen was such an artist. "Let's dig some crazy threads, man....."
Mama Cass "Make Your Own Kind Of Music"
When she wasn't spending her Mondays dreamin' about California, she could be found dancin' in the street. From 1963 through 1973 she set a standard for 60's music and fashion. She spent 8 years of that decade recording music in groups, most notably, The Mamas and The Papas. She struggled with many addictions which would ultimately lead to the heart attack that killed her at the age of 32. In just 10 short years, Mama Cass Elliot would create vocals that have yet to be replicated and a style seldom seen since. Her 1969 song "Make Your Own Kind Of Music" from the album Bubblegum, Lemonade and...Something For Mama, would ultimately become autobiographical and be descriptive of a career cut too short. It speaks of standing up for what you believe regardless of the opinion of others.
In his book, The Circle Maker, Mark Batterson says, "If you are not open to the unprecedented, you will repeat history. If you are open to the unprecedented you will change history." This reimagining of the Edmund Burke quote should cause us to reflect on the risks that we have taken in our lives. The Notes has previously highlighted Ephesians 2:10,
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
This passage indicates that after we are endowed with our spiritual gifts at our salvation experience, we have specific tasks for the kingdom which should be accomplished...our good works. We must prepare ourselves for those assignments by communicating with God consistently through His Word.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
The unprecedented things God has planned for us to do will change the history of those around us. There is some caution however, to attempting unprecedented things. The enemy will stop at nothing to thwart our good works. He uses pride and arrogance to engender the thought that we may have been the reason the spectacular endeavors were achieved and thereby taking God out of the mix. It is at this point we must refocus and remember the opening line to A Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren....."It's not about you." Bob Kauflin reinforces this thought process in his book Worship Matters by saying about God's existence...."He doesn't exist to help us get to where we really want to go. God is where we want to go." Can you tell there is a lot of reading going on in Notes Land?
This brings us back to our initial question. What can be achieved in a decade? For that matter, what can be achieved in a lifetime? Our time is limited. Our tasks are urgent. God is waiting to "thoroughly furnish" us for the unprecedented work He has planned. There are specific "songs" that only we can sing. There is specific "music" that only we can make. Our challenge is to be prepared and keep making the music and singing the songs.......even if nobody else sings along.
'Til Tuesday,
Loving HIM by loving you,
Randy
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