It’s always interesting when you reenter a part of your life you felt was done with. It’s odd when you revisit it. You remember what you loved about it and what caused that part to end. Lots of memories and emotions that you thought were done/dealt with.
This week our choir/orchestra is doing a live recording. They sound great and I think it is going to be a great community ministry opportunity. However, it has brought out a part of my life that I have passion for but have moved on from. And I am dealing with thoughts and emotions that I felt I had successfully addressed.
I am running lights for the recording (we’re also doing this to DVD) and we have a new light console and moving lights. No one else is able to be there for the show so I offered to help out. In the process of learning the console, figuring out the moving lights, setting scenes, dress rehearsal (which wasn’t really a dress rehearsal for me since I don’t have all the lights here yet but that is another story), dealing with different personalities (including a florist and bride who are upset that we aren’t out of the sanctuary) I am remembering why I love concert production and am reminded of why I got out of the business.
Here are a few things I am taking from this week.
1. I really enjoy running sound and lights (but I love sound). I like the combination of creativity and technology. I like putting my touch on a collaborative creative effort.
2. While I like this, I am not more passionate about concert production than I am about youth. And here is why – it doesn’t affect change in people. With sound and lights I am doing what I think needs to be done to enhance a production. With ministry, I am doing what I think needs to be done to enhance a person, their relationship with God and how they interact with the people and situations they come in contact with. I feel (and others may disagree and that is ok) that ministry has more lasting good.
3. I really don’t miss the politics and bull that goes with production. Egos, hypocrisy, temper tantrums, posturing and so much more – I don’t need that on a day to day basis.
4. I miss the road in that I don’t get to see some cool places on a regular basis. There is nothing like waking up in a new town every day, hearing that town’s story, and interacting with the people. You learn a lot about society and culture doing that. I don’t miss not being around family and friends. Being on the road 250 to 300 days out of the year caused me to miss a lot in the lives of the ones I love.
I have more to share but I need to go finish a few scenes and find out if the rain is going to prevent us from having all our equipment. I love (lots of sarcasm there) having to wait and work around others who think all I’m doing is turning a light up and down!
