(1) You're the best person for the task.

(2) No-one else will do it.

(3) God has called you to this ministry.

Would you rather...

(1) Make a fool of yourself, breaking down in the middle of a performance, but be used to lead someone to Christ?

(2) Give a performance which gains you high acclaim but achieves nothing spiritually?

Which would you consider the greatest honour?

(1) To achieve world-wide fame for your music, though the Lord considers it worthless.

(2) To know your music thrills the heart of the King of Kings, though it is so awful that no-one on earth can endure it.

Your music gives the impression that...

(1) You are reaching out to the world for Christ.

(2) You are withdrawing from the world.

(3) You are copying the world.

Which comment would most please you?

(1) 'With your talent you could make a fortune!'

(2) 'Isn't it amazing that God uses so mightily music as ordinary as yours?'

To you, music is primarily...

(1) A duty.

(2) Something you enjoy.

(3) A means of giving pleasure to others.

(4) An expression to God of your love for Him.

Which statement best describes your aims?

(1) To draw people to Christ by the quality of your music.

(2) To yield yourself and your music to the Holy Spirit, so that He can draw people to Christ.

Music and emotions are related. Do you...

(1) Fear this?

(2) Exploit it?

(3) Neither?

Which remark would move you the most?

(1) 'I've never heard such beautiful music!'

(2) 'God spoke to me while you were playing!'

(3) 'Is that a spider on your shoe?'

What response do you most want your music to elicit in your hearers?

(1) 'That was great!'

(2) 'God is great!'

Which is the strongest impression you leave with people?

(1) You care about music.

(2) You care about people.

(3) You've got B.O.

When you hear Christian music you regard as greatly inferior to your own, do you...

(1) Tell everyone how awful it is?

(2) Buy some ear plugs?

(3) Thank God you're so much better?

(4) Pray that God will still use the music?

Which comment would hurt you the most?

(1) 'You were out of tune.'

(2) 'Your hair style looked awful.'

(3) 'Your music was indistinguishable from a first class secular performance.'

What is your primary goal?

(1) To be popular

(2) To reach a high musical standard.

(3) To be used of God.

Which would you rather?

(1) Deeply move 5,000 appreciative Christians with your music, but accomplish nothing of lasting spiritual significance for them.

(2) Hand a boy a tract which leads him to Christ.

(3) Stay in bed.

Neighbours tend to take a special interest in the nature and timing of our practice sessions. Which alternative best matches their feelings?

(1) You are blessed.

(2) You are a blessed @*&# % . . .!

When someone heaps praise upon your music, what's your most likely thought?

(1) I must be getting good!

(2) Isn't God gracious!

When selecting music, do you...

(1) Assume that because you like it, others will?

(2) Through prayer and conversation with people seek to understand the needs and tastes of your audience?

(3) Conclude that since God has dramatically used a piece with similar audiences, there is no need to specifically seek His direction this time?

Tonight's the big night, culminating countless hours of spiritual and musical preparation. Your music creates an atmosphere in which the Holy Spirit begins to really move. The moment you finish, however, the leader abruptly changes the mood. The atmosphere is destroyed long before the Spirit has completed His work. All your preparation seems lost forever. Do you...

(1) Feel resentment?

(2) Ignore it?

(3) Check out employment opportunities in the French Foreign Legion.

(4) Privately, in prayerful humility, share your insight with the leader?

Which would you rather hear?

(1) 'There were nine decisions as a result of your concert and we've taken up an offering of $1500 for you.'

(2) 'At least ten people have come to the Lord through your ministry tonight and, after costs, your love offering came to 85 cents, one button and some slightly used chewing gum.'

Do you seek through music to...

(1) Serve others?

(2) Impress people?

(3) Satisfy your inner needs?

Next . . .

Not to be sold. © Copyright 1986, Grantley Morris. May be freely copied in whole or in part provided: it is not altered; this entire paragraph is included; readers are not charged; if used in a webpage, the new page is significantly different to this one. Many more compassionate, inspiring, sometimes hilarious writings available free online at www.net-burst.com  Freely you have received, freely give.
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