Band Member (Part 2)

"You and Dad are coming to my band concert tonight, right?" Zane asked at breakfast one day. "I've been practicing so much, I think I know our pieces backwards! And I get to play a special number with a smaller group--a brass ensemble.""We'll be there," Mom assured him. "We wouldn't miss it.""Can I go too?" asked Matilda eagerly. Mom assured her that she could go along.When it was time to get ready for the concert that evening, Zane was a bit nervous. "The timing on some of our pieces is kinda tricky," he said. "What if I mess up?""Just watch your conductor carefully and you'll do fine," said Dad.Zane nodded. "Mr. Liu stopped us in the middle of a piece the other day. Torin, one of the drummers, was really going at it, and he wasn't watching Mr. Liu at all. He played half a line before he realized nobody else was playing. Everybody laughed, even Mr. Liu, but then he gave us all a lecture on how important it is to follow his leading." He paused, then added, "I really like him. He's a good band leader.""Mine is too," said Matilda."You don't have a band leader," said Zane. "You're not in a band.""Am too!" said Matilda. "I'm a Christian, so I'm in God's band of believers." She looked accusingly at her brother. "You forgot!""Good for you, Matilda," said Dad. "You remembered, and I know you want to follow your leader too. Who is that leader?""Jesus!" Matilda answered."That's right," said Dad. "He's the very best leader of all.""What happens if I don't follow Him?" asked Matilda."Well," said Dad, "Zane's band has to follow their leader to play a beautiful song for other people to hear, and it's the same with Christians too. As we follow Jesus's example and let Him lead us in sharing His love with others, our lives become a beautiful song that helps others hear about Him and what He did to save us. There may be times when we mess up or play out of tune--times when we sin and do things that are selfish and wrong--but all we have to do is confess our sin, and Jesus will forgive us and help us find our place again."-Hazel W. Marett