#344.4 – “The Group is Greater than the Individual”

“But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” - 2 Timothy 4:5-7
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” – Hebrews 12:1
Another motivation for a musician to keep going is ‘the band’: the group with whom the person is playing. Yes the piece of music is crucial… more than whatever individual notes may be missed. And so, having the ‘end in mind’ of playing the whole piece of music is important to finishing what is begun. But also, there is the motivation of finishing with and for your fellow players.
If – in the middle of a piece of band music – I decided to just quit, my part would be missing from the arrangement, leaving a ‘hole’ musically. The band could (and should) go on without me… but it wouldn’t be the same. My part contributes to the whole… as does each of theirs… and thus, we encourage one another with our playing.
The Christian life is the same way. As a part of the Body of Christ, I contribute to the whole. And so does every other believer. And my playing encourages another… and theirs encourages me. Those who have mentored me - both in the past and in the present – encourage me in my walk with Christ. And those whom I have been blessed to mentor – both in my past and in my present – I hope to encourage. And so we support each other in our playing and move on the end of piece together.

Daniel