Make

shots, history, things, actions, music, experiences.

I watched my share of March madness this year and the simplicity of the goal, to make the shot set me to thinking about what exactly I make as a musician, minister, manager, father... It isn't nearly as simple as in sports. I know, I know, there is a "shocker".

The word itself is laced with simplicity and confustion all in one. I might say that I make music, but what did I actually create? I interpreted, and added a piece of my soul to some "thing" that existed. If I am improvising, perhaps I add a larger percentage of myself, if I am performing a Schubert song, perhaps a little less me, and more the story and characters.

The inspiration didn't come from me or did it? That is the question we all ask daily.

We each try to "make it" each day, week, month, year. In this context, I am talking about success. I often say: "people don't do things without a reason" and I mean it. I sit here this morning, on vacation wondering... Why do I do the things that I do? For me it isn't about money, but it is often about recognition, and influence and a deep rooted desire to help those around me often at the expense of self. This seems contradictory at every level. Somehow, I help myself by helping others and it sustains me. Maybe that is my "make".

I like the safety of my world. I like the regularity of going to work daily and receiving a paycheck. I desire the accolades of the stage. I want "people" (the more the better) to know that I am "good enough" and that I making a difference in the world. I suspect that I am not so different than most, though I may talk about it more than most.. that is another benefit and flaw of my "make"
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Isaiah 45 4-12 (NIV)
For the sake of Jacob my servant, of Israel my chosen, I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me.I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other.

I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things. "You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the LORD, have created it.

"Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker, to him who is but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are you making?' Does your work say,
'He has no hands'?

Woe to him who says to his father, 'What have you begotten?' or to his mother, 'What have you brought to birth?'

"This is what the LORD says— the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: Concerning things to come, do you question me about my children, or give me orders about the work of my hands?
It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts.