MTC Week #64 - What I See

{After I took my seat in the choir loft for Thursday's rehearsal and Sunday's rehearsal, I went on an observation and pondering spree...} 

I see choir members lining up to put names on the prayer roll. Each name has a story; each name is tied to a difficult trial. It's not my place to know them or know about them. Only to exert my faith in behalf of them. Do I do that?

I see choir members who have come early and who are sitting--some listening to the orchestra, some looking at music, and some who seem to be just thinking. I wonder what they think about. Are they feeling blessed to be there? Are they just glad to step out of their normal day and offer a prayer to God through the song in their heart?

I see people's faces pressed upon the observing window at the back of the Tabernacle. Are they just curious or are they that eager to come in and take a seat to listen, and to experience? Do some come in with heavy hearts and burdens that need to be lightened? Do they know that they are prayed for and that music will, indeed, lift their spirits? 

I see men of all ages who make up the stage crew and continually lift, reposition, arrange, assemble, and take apart. Is it "just another day at the job" for them? Do they know how grateful we are for them? Do they stop to think that their consecrated efforts really do matter in the grand scheme of this particular work of salvation?

I see our tireless conductors rehearse with the orchestra. How many hours they put into preparing, arranging, composing, listening, and reviewing (let alone conducting) I'll never know. What was their day like on this particular day? What personal struggles do they deal with that they have to set aside so that they can effectively fulfill the divine role they've been given while the whole world watches? What refining has taken place because of those struggles--refining that impacts and shapes the continual destiny of the choir?

I see those who are tasked with assigning seats to choir members and constantly make last minute seating decisions. Do they know the power they wield? Do they know that who we sit by affects all of us on a professional, social, and otherwise personal level? Do they know we're thankful for them?

I see the lights from up above and all around. Oh so many lights! Whose faces will they illuminate for the cameras today? Will those faces illuminate back the light of Christ? Will their countenances reflect their testimony of love? 

I see all of us as we stand, ready to sing. There are so many of us. We sing as a group made up of individuals who do their best. Do we remember that while our calling to sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir carries with it prestige and honor, we recognize that strength for any person comes from humility and dependence on a Heavenly Father who loves all of His children? Do we remember to celebrate all of the people in the world who deploy their talents in the benefit of their fellow brothers and sisters?  I hope so.

Until next time, God be with you.