live jazz music

I don't know about you, but I love jazz music. And as much as I enjoy listening to jazz played flawlessly on an album, there is nothing like going a live show to watch the great musicians (such as Victor Wooten and Marcus Miller, which I had to pleasure to see twice) play their instruments masterfully in harmony with the others on stage.

Where am I going with this? Besides stating my love for this American Art, I think there is a lesson to learn from these jazz musicians about humility: a humility that serves and encourages. Humility, you ask, from musicians who are stars in their respective art? Well, let me explain.

You don't have to know much about jazz music to know that improvisation is a huge part of jazz. Every good jazz musician can improvise a melody for songs. One major part of the jazz show is watching these masters create improvised melodic lines that is similar to the original melody, yet different at the same time. When the focus is placed primarily on a particular instrument, that's called a solo. When a jazz musician is playing a solo, he/she is put in the spotlight; he/she is the star.

However, when he or she completes a solo, often times he/she will give credit to the band: the drummer for holding down the beat, the bassist for grooving while creating space for the melody, the other musicians for doing their part. Think for a minute... if the whole band were to individually decide that they all want to take the spotlight at the same, it would be disaster, wouldn't it? Therefore, each musician not only waits their turn to play their solos, but to backup and support the person doing their solo at the particular moment. What I find especially encouraging is when the one in the spotlight gives his/her thanks and appreciation for the support of his/her band. It's a humble acknowledgment that the piece is not possible without the support of each of the band members.

So what? What does this have anything to do with humility?

As a Christian in ministry, there are time when a particular person is in the spotlight, and there are times when a person is in the background doing all the support work. Either way, not one or the other is more important than the other, for both contributes to the whole.
The problem lies when a certain person thinks he/she is more important than the other. It is pride that leads a person in the spotlight to think or say, "Oh, look at me, I'm the important one because everybody sees/hears/follow me," or the person in the background thinking, "Peh, you would be nothing without me."

Notice that the root of what each person says is pride, that he/she of the utmost importance. However, a humble person would recognize that all that they attempt do is not for themselves, but ultimately for the honor, glory, and exultation of Christ. If one has that proper view of themselves as a worshiper of Christ, it would not lead us to sin in this manner. Like the jazz musicians who play together to compose a beautiful piece of music, we work together for one united cause, not for our own selfish gain.

Wait a minute, you say. We all know this and we don't tell people to look at ourselves! I'm not struggling with this!

May I ask that you take a look at your own heart and examine yourself? Can you look at yourself in the mirror and honestly say this isn't an issue with you? I know I can't. That's why I need a constant reminder. That's why I need be challenged and reminded by each one of you! So, I'm asking that if you read this and ever see me heading towards any avenue of pride and selfishness, that you'll love me by confronting me, shining the light of Christ on my sinful heart, and I will try to do the same.

I close with this:

What does this mean practically (this is more geared towards GOCers in ministry)?

When you are serving on a team that works with another team, and conflict arises, is your first thought the errors of their ways instead of seeking out to serve them to the best of your ability, no matter the sacrifice?

Do you think you are more important than another person who is on a different, "lesser" known/up front ministry team or even a person who is not in any ministry team at all?

Are you sensitive to the needs of those who are in another role/doing different things than you?

When you serve with others, does it look like you're serving for the same goal of honoring God or are you serving for any other reason (make yourself look good, oh, in front of that *special* someone)?

I don't know how relevant this is to people who read this, but I hope it served to either encourage, challenge, or stir up your hearts in some way or another.