Let the Lord lead

We arrived at the same time and walked together to the entrance portico. The door wasn't yet unlocked so we had a few minutes to chat. Doug and I are both early birds when it comes to weekly orchestra rehearsals. He leaned on his viola case and I did the same with my cello case. You'd think it had been hours since both of us had a chair.

"I was in a rock band because I thought that was where the Lord was leading me," Doug shared. "I do everything once I let God weigh-in on a situation. I was a police officer for 20 years and I'm a million-percent convinced that God not only protected me but also inspired me. For example, I'd be driving along in my patrol car planning to turn to the right down a street, but before I could do that, I'd feel a strong push to turn left instead. Immediately I'd come upon a street fight to break up. I was magically on the scene before anyone thought of calling the cops."

"What do you play in the rock band?" I ask. "Used to. I used to play electric bass in a band when I was assured that they played mostly Christian music. It turns out what we played was anything but Christian, so I got out as fast as I could."

I offer, "The fact that you have an openness to God working in your life is really impressive. I believe God has a plan for each of our lives but too often we go our own way, thinking we know what's best for us."

Doug says, "I couldn't agree more. My life is loaded with examples and instances in which something happened for the better and it wasn't my doing. I know that was God at work in my life. There's no other explanation. And I'm a better person today for that. I was definitely a better police officer. I think I'm a better musician. For sure, I'm all-around a better person by letting God come first."

Our conversation came to an end when someone with the key arrived to open the door. By then a small group had gathered and heard the last part of Doug's comments. I saw several heads nodding in agreement.

[Nancy Linenkugel is a Sylvania Franciscan sister and chair of the department of Health Services Administration at Xavier University, Cincinnati Ohio.]