He’s been there at least a week now, maybe two.   The guest on our back deck is big.  really big.  And he makes me uncomfortable.  At first I didn’t like it at all that he had taken up residence. But, I’ve become accustomed to his presence in a “wincing when I slide open the glass door” kind of way.

That web he perches in is amazing.  His designs are unmatched, catching anyone’s attention who sets foot out my back door.  I suppose it is what he’s supposed to do, but it is still remarkable.

It is interesting how something so small can make me nervous and uneasy, creeped out, even jittery.  At first I didn’t even want to go near it.

So, the other day, I finally went out and stood right in front of the web to get a closer look and snap a photo or two.  And do you know what happened?  He ran, and fast.  He skittered right up that web and into the gutter.  I didn’t know spiders could move that quickly.  And I didn’t know he was afraid of me.

You know what this reminds me of?  Well, I’ll tell you.  For a few days I tried and tried to write about this spider and sin and how we need to be weary of it; be concerned, be watchful.  Because after all, the Bible says the devil is like a roaring lion trying to devour us all.  And my heart agrees with all of that.  My sinful nature can be devastating and I  must be vigilant.

But guess what?!?  That’s not what I need to write today, after watching that big ol’ spider retreat!  Nope.  I’m here to say that we don’t need to be AFRAID!  Sin and death are conquered!  We have true and complete victory in Christ!

Often I find myself fearful of the world and the moral and sinful failures we see on every hand.  The way sin seems to be running rampant can be completely overwhelming.   However, the truth remains that this is not a shock to our Heavenly Father.  All of this has been overcome by the power of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  And there is coming a day when Satan will be nothing more than a fearful, cowering, villain – afraid of his own shadow- just like the spider on my back deck- and he will be defeated!

These words from I Corinthians 15 sum it up, pretty well, giving the confidence to live without fear:

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

55 “O Death, where is your sting?  O Hades, where is your victory?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

************************************************************

Since my folks have moved here recently, I’ve been having all these little snippets of memories from my childhood play through my mind.  One such memory is a hymn we sang in church regularly, and I can’t help but sing it in my heart today:

O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.

Philippians 1:6 –  being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Not too long ago,  well, about 35 years ago, I began the journey…   Danville, Illinois was the place where I crossed the starting line.  I was five.

At age five, I found myself (pictured above, front row, first on the right, yellow frilly dress) in a children’s choir.  I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love music, singing, or being a part of a choir.   Even then I sat in the choir loft while my dad conducted rehearsals for the youth choir or the adult choir.  My place was in the alto section – always trying to fit into the harmonies.

I can’t remember what we are singing in this photo; possibly “I’ll be a Sunbeam for Jesus.” (And, even tho’ she says she doesn’t remember it, I think that’s my mom directing us.  I’d know the back of that head, or that red blazer anywhere…  )

Over the next few weeks I’ll be preparing to work with the children’s choir at my church.  Just the thought of it makes me smile, those sweet faces, their tender hearts and sometimes squeaky voices.   I can’t wait to get started.

Back then something was begun in me – a love for God and the fellowship of worshiping Him, voices united with others in singing.  It is unlike anything else.  The bonds that are formed when our hearts join together this way is unusual;  bonds with fellow believers, and a stronger love for our Savior.   What He began so long ago, He is still working in me – it is a big part of who I am and He is still making me into the worshiper He’s called me to be.

If I had time or a scanner, I could show you photos from all along this musical journey, how He’s shaped me and molded my talents to be this very specific musician-worshiper-pianist-singer-violinist-conductor – all a part of His design.      I’m grateful for this calling that He is fulfilling in my heart and life.  I’m thankful, too, that I get to see the children in my choir cross their starting line, believing this Scripture for them too: “that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”  May He continue this good work until He returns and we all worship Him for eternity.