The holidays are over once again. And, for all that I did to try to hold on to it, the last week of the year has escaped me, as well.

I love the holidays, and I’ve written much about them in the past. I’ve especially shared my thoughts in previous columns about the importance of using the closing days of the year to plan for the months ahead. I have also described my intention to spend the first eight months of the year, in essence, preparing for the last four.

In this scenario, the goal would be to get as much work done ahead as possible and to get all the trivial details out of the way by the end of August so that I could make the most of the last four months—often the busiest and most essential season in ministry.

So, my dream is to have everything organized and ready in order that, come September, I can implement my plans, promote my endeavors and enjoy the results of my efforts. I also want to savor more of that most meaningful time during the holidays.

Then, I want to take those closing days of the year and plan and prepare to hit the ground running in the new year.

That’s a great strategy, and I still aspire to fulfill it … next year.

Perhaps you feel like I do about this past year. While I was attempting to steer life along, carefully and ever-so-gently, I could feel it steamroll right past me. I’m sure you’re familiar with all the regular obstacles that show up to play their part: a sickness here, an emergency there, a problem with this, a breakdown in that. And, before you know it, your plans have not only changed but pretty much unraveled.

This is not to say that I did not work hard in 2023 or was not very productive. I had an incredibly full year—and that can be part of the problem, too. As I look back on a year of happenings, I am forced to consciously evaluate them. Was each activity I was involved in important enough to require the amount of time and energy I allotted to it?

Of course, those are difficult questions to answer when you are engaged in ministry, and everything you set out to do has some worthwhile purpose. And I am not necessarily thinking about making major changes as much as minor improvements.

So, as I write this column, it’s mid-January. I’m sitting in the glow of Christmas lights, still enjoying some Christmas music. I’m trying to stretch out the holidays and still do some planning for the new year. I take solace in the fact that we’re, technically, still in its first full week! I have regrets that I really did not organize the past year in such a way that I could relax and enjoy the last few weeks and months or get the most out of them.

But I still love the holidays. I still believe in planning the year out—and taking that valuable time at year’s end to do it. I still think the exercise is worthwhile. I still want to think strategically about how to do better once again this year.

The Lord assured the people of Israel of His watchful concern over them—”from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year” (Deut. 11:12). Evidently, the year is important to God, and it must be to me, as well.

Maybe there is wisdom to be found in discerning where we have failed to achieve our highest ideals and understanding why. Maybe this, in itself, is a sign of maturity and of developing a seriousness that can be gained only through the experiences of life.

We recognize that, even with those high ideals, our plans will require revision, and our best intentions may well go unfulfilled. Yet we draw solace from the fact that—all year long—God “works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Eph. 1:11).

How do you look back at the year behind us? How do you look ahead at the year before us? How can we grow and do better this year? I would love to see your responses.

Happy New Year!

***

Paul J. Scharf (M.A., M.Div., Faith Baptist Theological Seminary) is a church ministries representative for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, based in Columbus, WI, and serving in the Midwest. For more information on his ministry, visit sermonaudio.com/pscharf or foi.org/scharf, or email pscharf@foi.org

Scripture taken from the New King James Version.

Quotes about life is like a piano:

Life is like a piano.  What you get out of it depends on how you play it. -Tom Lehrer

Life is like a piano; the white keys represent happiness, and the black ones show sadness.  But as you go through life’s journey, remember that the black keys also create music. -Ehssan

There’s nothing remarkable about it.  All one has to do is hit the right keys at the right time, and the instrument plays itself. -Johann Sebastian Bach

Long ago, as a kid, I remember playing on this huge oak Antique Pump Organ; it was the kind that you had to pump the pedals at the feet while playing with your fingers on the keys at the same time.  Not that I knew what I was doing or anything, but the people who were listening to me at the Antique store at the time thought it was enjoyable nonetheless.

Interestingly enough, I had a dream recently about a huge piano falling out of a three-story window in direct flight toward the people in the rectangle pool (without water) down below, but somehow, once it supposedly crashed and landed, it seemed to just disappear, and nothing ended up happening to anyone!

Upon waking, the words “Life’s Piano” came to me as something I should write about.  In many ways, life is like a piano, and the quotes above describe this analogy quite interestingly, too.  More importantly, what does the Bible have to say about such music, melody, and harmony?

BIBLE VERSES ABOUT MUSIC (kingjamesbibleonline.org)

According to the record mentioned in the Bible concerning the Sweet Psalmist and young King David (a man after God’s own heart, btw), music, especially when centered around God, can be comforting and help soothe one’s soul!

In this account, David, as a young lad, was called to play the harp for King Saul because this ruler was tormented by an evil spirit. Subsequently, every time the Sweet Psalmist and Shepherd of Israel would play for King Saul, the beautiful melody that was strung from the harp would help to soothe the King’s vexed soul and comfort him to the point that it made the evil spirit leave!

1 Samuel 16:23 “And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.”  

The fact of the matter is that all of life is a type of ‘ebb and flow’ if you will, with lots of sadness along the way, yet with lots of happiness sprinkled in as well.  Think of the example of the keys on a piano representing both happiness and sadness; when one plays both of them at the same time, it creates a type of ‘melodic song of life’ in a roundabout and metaphoric way, in a poetically beautiful to think of in many ways.

On that note, what type of melody are we playing out in our life for YHWH?  What is our life’s song when it comes to Him? Sadly, many people think that they are playing out their life’s tunes for Christ, but unfortunately, they truly are not. Even worse, some don’t even think that they need Jesus in order to have a happy and fulfilling life and are actually relying on their being a “so-called good person” to enter into Heaven.

Romans 10:13-18 

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

“Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Here are some quotes I have personally heard throughout my lifetime from those I have encountered along the way concerning God, Jesus, Heaven, Hell, and Salvation:

“God’s going to let me into Heaven because He knows how much I love my family.”

“I believe in Evolution and Science.”

“It’s all about being a good person.”

“I have my own faith” (meaning anything goes).

“I don’t feel like I’m going to Hell.”

“I don’t think I’m going to Hell because I represent love and light.”

“I rely on yoga and meditation to help me.”

Yet… there is no other name given under Heaven whereby we all must be saved other than the Lord God Jesus Christ!

Acts 4:10-12 “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Yes, life is hard, even harder for those who want to live for Christ too. Jesus told us that it would not be easy. He even informed us that ‘The Way’ is narrow to eternal life. He also stated that many are on the broad road to destruction, and only a few will find the narrow path.

Whether we are living in joy and comfort or in despair and conflict, our life’s piano should always be played out for YHWH, nonetheless, while using both our hands and feet at the same time, just like in the example of me as a kid on that Antique Pump Organ all those years ago. We should be living, moving, singing, praising, worshipping, ministering, and whatever else we can do in our wholehearted service for none other than our Lord Jesus Christ every single day!

1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

Life can be beautiful even when things don’t go our way. The ones who refuse to humble themselves and accept God’s Will for them and who also won’t forgive others for their trespasses make living for YHWH difficult, spiritually speaking.

When one’s life’s purpose is thwarted and/or distorted due to being blinded by the enemy through their rejection of Christ and His Word, things will ultimately not go well for them. Like King Saul, there will be vexation and torment of spirit because God’s Hand of provision and protection will be taken off of them, and evil spirits will then have free reign to wreak havoc in their lives!

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

As Christ’s Followers, we can be a source of truth and comfort to these people just like the Sweet Psalmist of Israel did for King Saul by our sharing of God’s Word, Truth, and the Life Transforming and Saving Gospel Message of Jesus Christ!  Here’s a disclaimer, though: all of this can ONLY be effective IF the ones we’re trying to minister to will actually heed and accept God’s Message!

Nevertheless, prayer is very powerful. Even though we can’t always see what is happening behind the scenes, God is tirelessly and continuously working, weaving His tapestry, so to speak, and orchestrating all things together for the good of those who love Him and for His Glory!

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

One last thing: here are some YouTube Channels along life’s way that I have found to be useful, edifying, and spiritually worth subscribing to… ones that can help to enhance our life’s melodic song, service, praise, and worship to YHWH:

Can’t find anything to watch on TV? Try Expedition Bible (truly fascinating excavation and exploration at sites in Israel based on historical and biblical facts):

https://youtu.be/_k2k0qLFR74?si=wONPOzMn3zSvDntO

Still battling the Calvinism Debate? Try Soteriology 101 w/Dr. Leighton Flowers:

https://youtu.be/xSxJ7elfR80?si=ilkB7Jw6_a45FiKp

Want to break free from paganism and men’s traditions? Try Passion for Truth Ministries:

https://youtu.be/pwg11nFNT68?si=N7QwxFDjmLA2yQPY

Need a Pastor who teaches the plain truth straight from God’s Word? Try James W. Knox Sermons (We love him and find his ministry worth supporting, too!):

https://youtu.be/HKWwf4xG_HE?si=wfLxpqyvA9E_4RZg

Until next time… Maranatha!

Sincerely & In Christ,

Candy Austin