In the battle of Jericho, Joshua had the priests blow "seven trumpets of rams' horns" and march around the fortified citadel (Joshua 6:8). I'm a "priest" (as it were), and I play the trumpet (or at least I used to). I've often wondered what they played. Perhaps "Taps" for the inhabitants? "Reveille" for the Israelites? It's actually a trick question. I played a "rams' horn" in Israel--it made only two notes (and sounded like a dying cow). Their part was easy.

Ours is harder. Our instruments have valves and scales and options. How can you be sure that you're playing what God wants? What's the relationship between your hard work and practice, and his direction and plan? I've struggled with that question for much of my Christian life. My hard work cannot save a single soul or change a single life. And yet God has given me gifts and abilities, and you as well. What is the relationship between his will and our work?

Recently in my journal I recorded a metaphor which helped me greatly: God is the conductor and I'm in the orchestra.

He alone has the score for the entire orchestra--in fact, he wrote it. I can see only my part. Sitting in the orchestra, I can hear only those playing right around me. I cannot hear the oboe player in Brazil or the cellist from 600 years ago whose contribution is part of this concert of the ages.

I can play my part as I want, ignoring the conductor, but I'll most likely play out of time and he won't be able to use my part in the eternal CD he's recording. Or I can watch his baton, his downbeat, playing as he directs. Then he will use my abilities and hard work as part of something far greater than anything I can play by myself. And best of all, as I focus on the Conductor's baton, I get to know the Conductor.

Where do you need his direction today? What question, issue, challenge have you come up against with your instrument? How can your life know and follow the Conductor of the universe this year, starting today?