All-State

Yesterday was the All-State competition where orchestra, band, and choir instruments auditioned to be the "best" in the state. This is a huge accomplishment if one makes it. However, it is also a challenging one. It seemed like the violinists were the most competitive. As I practiced my scales and excerpts, I felt inferior to the musical geniuses surrounding me. They has the speed, the rhythm, the intonation, and the tone-everything that I lacked. I began to question why I was there in the first place. Was it even worth a shot to audition if, deep down, I knew I had no chance? My dad, being the eternal optimist told me if I thought that way I would surely not make it. So I attempted to develop a positive attitude (see "An Optimistic Outlook" blog post...). My plan was to go into the audition for the glory of God. It was God that gave me my violin skills and I was simply giving my all to Him. This certainly made me less nervous and prepared to try my absolute best!

I would like to say that everything ended perfectly and happily, but that is only partially true. First of all, would me getting in secure happiness anyway? Isn't everything only temporary (see "Bubbles" blog post)? So whether I got in or not (whatever the circumstance), I would still be joyful and praise God for giving me the talent! I love playing the violin and practicing for this audition made me a much better musician. Praise the Lord for that! I am so glad that God gives us the joy to be happy no matter what the outcome is. With this being said, I did not make All-State (as you probably guessed). I wasn't even close (I thought) and didn't get recalled. In fact, I completely bombed my D scale (the easiest) because I had been practicing the harder scales. This was disappointing. However, I am so glad I tried. It was a fantastic experience and taught me life-long lessons. I will practice even harder for next year, and who knows? I might even make it! All it takes is a little determination combined with some optimism.

No one's perfect. You've probably figured this out whether you've lived five years or fifty. Life isn't fair either. No matter what, people will let you down and you will make mistakes. However, how we handle those situations is what determines if we will learn from it. Perhaps you've heard it from your mother or grandmother, but we learn from our mistakes. Every failure we acquire in life is just one step closer from getting it right the next time. God will help us through whatever trial we are facing and it will all work out together for the good.

Romans 8:28 is one of my favorite verses:

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

This is one of the most encouraging verses! Think about it. No matter what happens in life, it will work together for the good. This is hard to believe and I don't blame you if you're skeptical, but it is the absolute truth. It may seem like the end of the world or like a dead end with no escape, but God will find a way to make it work out. It's all part of the plan! We have been called for a purpose. God doesn't say in the fine print, "and if it gets too hard, you can quit." No! Instead, He says that he works for the good of those who love Him and will find a way to make everything work out. How wonderful to think that God is always there looking out for us. No matter what happens.

I failed my All-State audition. I didn't make it and wasn't even close. Life is not over. It's not the end of the world and I learned from that experience. It worked out for the good. I was joyful despite the circumstance and I will praise God for giving me the talent I have! I may not be the best in the state (or my school), but I am content with that. God loves me anyway. I will thank Him for His grace every day!

-Sheet music picture found on Google.