In the Mix
By Scott Harrup | December 20, 2007
I saw a poster recently in the office of AG National Music Director Tom Matrone. It pictured the Temple of Music in Buffalo, N.Y., a massive dome built in 1901 as part of the Pan-American Exposition.
The blurb next to the picture mentioned a concert held on September 6 that year, a concert that coincided with the fatal shooting of President William McKinley by an anarchist. The president was shaking hands with well-wishers in a receiving line at the Temple when the unthinkable happened.
That little picture and footnote got me to thinking about life’s contrasts. Thousands of people showed up that day to hear a beautiful Bach piece played on a massive organ, never realizing the national sorrow about to unfold.
The contrasts in our own lives are rarely that extreme, but they exist every day. Even in our happiest moments, we can’t quite shake the awareness of ongoing life challenges and sorrows.
In a similar vein, our joyful highs coincide with tragic lows in lives all around us.
It would be depressing to focus on life’s mix through pessimism’s lens, always acknowledging the negative even as we lived within the positive. Far better to turn that equation around to see the positive in the midst of the negative.
Such a perspective might be better worded this way: “In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, NIV).
President McKinley seems to have held to that view. When his wounds claimed his life on September 14, his reported last words to attending friends and family were, “Good-bye-good bye, all. It’s God’s way. His will, not ours, be done. Nearer my God to Thee, nearer to Thee.”
In our lives, it’s reassuring to know even as the tough stuff is happening that God is at work to bring about good.
Of course, no one complains when God decides to work out some additional good in the absence of tough stuff.
I hope 2008 creates a positively weighted life mixture for you. I’ll be returning January 7 with, I’m believing, positive memories of the year’s first week.
Topics: History |
February 8th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Scott, these are delightful!
I love the story about your morning time with your son. You paint good pictures with your words.
I am a fan of yours… especially when you do “cat” humor for us!
Diane
February 17th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Great story and a superb bonding with Austin
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:43 am
Your words make pleasant pictures form in my mind as I read; enjoyed reading your blog.
February 22nd, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Great articles. Will share them with friends. Bye for now. Your brother in Christ. Dan
March 5th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Hi Scott:
Thanks for sharing your talent.