The Spiritual Discipline of Piano-Playing

I recently buckled down on my piano-playing skills. I took lessons through middle & high schools, but had only dabbled in piano-playing for over a decade.

As I focused on this set-aside talent, I began to notice how playing the piano could teach me more about how to be a better Christ-follower. So I decided to collect those thoughts and share them here:

1. Playing the piano requires practice time. I won't  get good at a song by having it nearby. Similarly, growing in my faith requires intentional effort & time with God.

2. While I am learning a new song, I listen to it ALL the time. While driving. While washing dishes. While walking. Similarly, growing in my faith is easier when I'm listening to sermons, worship songs, and the audio Bible as I go about my day.

3. I can't just play the parts that I'm good at and expect to somehow improve with the hard sections. Similarly, I can't expect to grow in an area I struggle with if I just focus on the areas that come easier to me. I have to work on the difficult parts of Christian obedience.

4. Sometimes I need to make an adjustment to the song based on what I am physical capable of playing. Similarly, sometimes I need to adjust what I'm learning to my specific circumstances. 

5. This song won't be mastered in a day or even a month. Similarly, my faith won't be mastered in a brief time.

6. I can't just play one day a week and expect to improve. It's only by faithfully playing day in and day out that improvement happens. Similarly, I can't expect to grow if my faith if I limit working on it to once a week for an hour.

7. While I am aware of the mistakes I make in playing, to the outside observer, it's not so obvious. Similarly, my struggles & sins aren't obvious to someone else, but they may notice ways I have grown over the years 

8. I must remember that this song brings me joy to hear it played, especially on the hard days when things aren't in sync. Similarly, there will be days that faith is hard and I need to remember the joy that got me started in my faith.

9. Learning a new song requires research. I'm looking up high & low notes. I'm googling musical instructions & symbols. Similarly, learning about Christianity requires research and digging deeper

10. I write on my practice music a LOT and that's okay. Similarly, writing in my Bible and journals can help me remember what I have learned

What mundane task do you do that you can draw connections to your faith?