Orchestra...Cross...Light

It was a busy Saturday morning at the church.  There was a nice gathering of new members enjoying a five hour seminar about the church and faith, coming to know each other, and delighting in food with one another.

A group of women were in a room across the hallway from my office in a monthly Bible study.  They, too, had coffee and refreshments.

Outside of my office the other direction a wonderful group of musicians had gathered--the Southeastern Minnesota Youth Orchestra.  They were preparing for a concert they would perform at Bethel the next day.

While I had much to do that morning, including three different stints with the new member group, I was compelled by the music that beckoned from beyond my office window.  Eventually I had to give up and go into the sanctuary to enjoy the skill of these young musicians.  The scores of strings and woodwinds and brass and percussion filled the chancel.  More than that, their sound filled the room with vibrancy.

As I watched the orchestra, I was taken by the light of the cross that streamed over them.  When Bethel built this sanctuary in 2004, we wanted everyone who came into this place to know of our faith.  A dominating cross (moved from our former sanctuary) would never let us forget who we are and would serve as a powerful witness to the community.

Did this entire orchestra know that they were basking in the light of the cross?  Would every concert attender notice it the next day?  Probably not.  But some would surely notice.  The love of the cross.  The light of the world.  Grace.