Not As Easy As It Looks
I don’t know about you, but there are many times that I watch someone doing something and I think, “I can do that.” They make it look so easy that everyone should be able to do it. Take ice skating, for instance.
Growing up, we watched The Wide World of Sports on the weekends and I especially loved to watch the ice skaters. They were always so graceful and they could skate backwards, and do twirls and jumps, and twirl while jumping and skating backwards. And they did it in sync with the music!
The first time I was on ice skates, I was in high school. Believe me, I did not go to the rink and expect to be another Dorothy Hamill, but I did think that I would be able to do something besides clinging to the wall (which is what I did more than I care to admit). I never figured out how to skate backwards and forget about twirling or jumping. The only time both skates were in the air was when I was falling!
The big difference between myself and Dorothy Hamill (and every other skater that I saw on TV) was partly talent, but mostly practice. Yes, they made ice skating look easy because, to them, it was easy. They had done these moves over and over and over and over and over and over (you probably get the point) again. I watched them and didn’t think about how much the skaters practiced. They started young, not in high school. They practiced many hours each day, and many days each week, and every week for many years.
The first day they ever put skates on, they didn’t go onto the ice and perform a perfect triple toe loop. They had to start by practicing basic figures, skating backwards, and doing small jumps. Then, with enough practice and dedication, they worked their way up to doing slightly more complex moves and then even MORE complex moves until they could do the extremely hard moves.
I was recently reminded of this when I had the opportunity to fill in for our handbell director. I, again, must sit in wonder at how someone can do something and make it look easy, but in truth is far more difficult than I could have imagined. To be able to direct while playing 2-4 bells, listen to the other ringers, know when a ringer is off or not playing the correct bell, all while counting and having everyone do dynamics and techniques, while counting, is far beyond my capabilities. And, again, this goes back to the fact that I never had any formal musical training and I lack the experience.
For some reason, my Bible says nothing about ice skating nor directing hand bells. But there are some verses which apply:
“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from Me, or seen in Me—put it into practice*. And the God of peace will be with you.” [Philippians 4:9]
“I can do* all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” [Philippians 4:13]
”Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD, not for human masters, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the LORD as a reward. It is the LORD Christ you are serving*.” [Colossians 3:23-24]
While I know I will never do everything perfect, even if others make it look easy, if I keep doing it, …”with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my mind with all my strength.” [Mark 12:30] then, for the Lord, I know I will have done my best, for The Best!
TLB
*Italics added for emphasis.