Romans 8

I’m starting my fourth semester as a music major and I have NO idea what I’m doing. I don’t always (ok…more like never ) understand theory, I just don’t have a whole jar full of motivation to practice like I should, and I don’t even know what I’m going to do with that diploma when I get it. Being a music major is sometimes torture for me…you know…sight singing, performances, and just other stuff that really makes me unsure. More often than not I feel inadequate as a musician and music major and would rather just get into a different major where I just have to take notes and multiple choice tests. But apparently, that’s not an option. Check this out.

I’ve always known Romans 8 as the “Life Through the Spirit” chapter. It’s full of awesome stuff about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in Christians and how that can change our lives. That’s some pretty powerful stuff, but it’s too bad I never read the second half of Romans 8. Specifically verses 18-39. I know Paul’s suffering is a whole lot different than mine, but I have no doubt in my mind that God still wants me to do all this for his glory. God has been awakening me, as I ask him, every day since Passion to the fact that my life is about glorifying His name and kingdom and not myself. So verse 18 was a huge encouragement to me, realizing that all of my trials here on earth, all of this mess as a college student doesn’t even compare to the glory of Christ that I will see one day. I can use these things to glorify God, and no doubt He will bring glory to Himself through them, but that doesn’t even scratch the surface of all His glory to be revealed. Brothers and sisters, that’s a big God we serve.

Verses 28-30 were such confirmation that the Lord knows what He’s doing in our lives. Me being a music major is going to work out for good, because I’m called according to HIS PURPOSE. These verses really awakened me to the fact once again that I’m not a music major for me, I’m a music major for the glory of Jesus Christ. The Lord has placed me at this school and among these people to glorify His name and exalt Him above all else. I may not ever use my degree in music for anything, but if while I’m in school I make Him more famous, then this will all be worth it. Christ must be my motivation for all of this. My purpose must be so that “he might be the first born among MANY brothers.”

Paul decides to hand us a truckload of encouragement in verses 31-39. Thank YOU Brother Paul! “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Wow. Talk about having some serious power as children of God! I pray that I would truly believe in this and walk in faith that the Holy Spirit does reside in me and gives me all I need to live this life.

Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. We are conquerors! (verse 37) I definitely need to be reminded that I’m a conqueror because of Christ in me everyday in that music building. I am a conqueror over tests. I’m a conqueror over performing. I’m a conqueror over spiritual battles. I’m a conqueror in being obedient to point others to Christ. I’m a conqueror in piano class. All because Christ resides in me and none of this is for me or about me anymore, it’s about Him.

And I confess that I definitely don’t walk in this everyday. I get worried, stressed, and anxious about what I’m doing and my future. Sometimes I can’t see past the evening of homework, practicing, and other school stuff that has to get done, but slowly God is changing my heart to constantly remember that I’m not a music major for me….cause let’s face it, if I was, that would stink.  I strongly believe God has called me to be a music major at WT for His glory, to minister to other musicians, and make His name famous above all else. It’s a scary thing. I can’t see where I’m going. I freak out. But the Lord graciously reminds me of this.

“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness…” –Romans 8:24-26