When the Music Stops

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:2-5

There is music playing in the City of Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas. Call it revival or at least call it special. It’s a grand concert with over 150 Pastors from local churches actually coming together in unity and meeting monthly in large gatherings. For the past few months, Pastor Jorge, whom I work with has been leading these mass gatherings in the city’s Municipal Auditorium called the Polyforum.

We’ve had some special guests who ministered. Among these were many Christian musicians, Jesse & Laura Rojas, Pastor Bruce Dumond and… our daughter Cristi.

Yes, Cristi has ministered in the Polyforum playing the guitar and in song a few times.

One evening as she ministered using a soundtrack Cristi had to face a challenge- As she was singing, the music stopped.

My question to you is “What do you do when the music stops?”

Perhaps you’re experiencing a time of difficulty in your life.

It may be because of family situations, physical hardships or even financial difficulties.

The music has stopped right in the middle of your life. God has become silent. You feel as though you’re alone. Circumstances are not in your favor.

We can tell you from experience that times like these are not easy. Over the past few years, our family has experienced times when the music stopped.

I’m not talking about a soundtrack. I’m talking about life’s circumstances. We were faced with some difficult obstacles while finishing up our daughters adoption and United States visa requirements.

As I tell you about our small trials I realize you may be facing larger obstacles in your life.

So what should you do when the music stops?

“Keep on Singing”

That’s what Cristi did. Right in the middle of the song the soundtrack stopped working. . It was her first big debut in front of 1000’s of people but she instantly felt all alone.

She was instantly faced with a choice… stop singing when the music stopped or keep on singing even though things were tough.

 

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ Philippians 1:6

 

Our daughter did the difficult thing. She confronted the challenge without missing a beat. She sang acapella finishing the song with no music in the background.

Our family has now passed through an unpleasant chapter in our lives. Things were not always easy but we thank God that we didn’t give up. Our tenacity paid off. Cristi now has her U.S. residency and this month we are all going to the USA to finish her citizenship.

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. Romans 8:28

We would like to encourage you not to give up.

Keep on singing. There is hope.

When you realize that life’s obstacles are actually opportunities and that you are not alone you may be encouraged as we were.

Hope and perseverance doesn’t change the change the immediate circumstances, but it does give you strength and grace to keep-on-keeping- on.

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

You’re Going a Long Way in Life

I will never forget the words I heard spoken from one of the members of the sound team as Cristi left the stage in the Polyforum…

“I really like that girl, not only can she sing, she doesn’t give up. She’s going to go a long way in her music career”

Because Cristi didn’t give up, the soundtrack failure actually came out in her favor. Cristi has potential as a music minister.

More importantly… you have a great potential in life. Don’t give up. You’re a superstar in God’s eyes.

You’re going to go a long way … even if the music has temporally stopped.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11