A Time to Appreciate

When I was young, I didn't appreciate some of the things I had to go through. Today, I was just thinking about music lessons. Music lessons were one of those things I couldn't fully appreciate. I believe the exposure to music through piano lessons did make me more knowledgeable in that area but knowledge alone did not quite necessarily translate into appreciation. Very soon, piano lessons became quite monotonous and a chore sometimes. Yet, I know these lessons were beneficial for me although I couldn't quite put a finger to it.

In school, I vaugely remembered there was this music lesson where I was supposed to draw what I felt and imagined when I heard a piece of music. That time, I felt it was so difficult. To me, listening to a piece of music was independant of other senses. I simply used my ears without feeling with my heart.

And then, now, when I suddenly hear a piece of music, some of them touch me, some of them make me tear, some make me happy, some make me sad. I clearly remember the first song that touched my heart, the first time I truly enjoyed listening to a piece of music. It was at that instance much feelings evoked within me when I heard it. It was simple yet overwhelmingly powerful to my senses. I could have cried if there weren't so many people around. Then, I finally understood what people meant when they said they were appreciating music. That was in Sec 1.

Appreciation grows with time. I begin to realise how some things that happened in the past are indeed for my good which with my short-term lens couldn't quite perceive into the future. And if those things in the past were actually good, it could mean things happening now are good too, even if I can't see it that way. Because appreciation grows with time, when I look back 10 years later, these things now could indeed be for my good. A time to appreciate the goodness and grace of God and to press on towards what lies ahead.

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 3:12-14