| Toot Your Flute - article by Joel Hempel
Several years ago, I read a story about a concert given by an orchestra out east. One of the movements featured a flute solo to be played as if coming from a distance. The conductor instructed the flutist to stand off stage and start his solo as indicated on the sheet music since there was no visual contact between the conductor and the soloist.
On the night of the performance, when the time came for the flute solo, the flutist began playing his solo beautifully. Suddenly, there was a pinching sour note, and the soloist was silent.
The conductor was outraged, and at the end of the concert, he rushed off stage to find the flutist and reprimand him. Before the conductor could speak, the flutist defended himself.
“Maestro, before you say anything, let me tell you what happened. You know I came in exactly as you instructed, and everything was going beautifully when suddenly, out of nowhere, a stagehand ran up, grabbed my flute, and pushed me aside, saying, ‘Shut up, you idiot! Don’t you know there’s a concert going on out there?’”
It’s a fact there are times when others don’t appreciate who you are or what you do. They assume, misunderstand, misinterpret, or just don’t like what you are doing. As a result, people become offended, feelings are hurt, and relationships are strained. What are we to do?
Keep doing it! That is, keep doing that which God has given you to do (see Ephesians 2:10). For if what we are doing is God-pleasing, it will be God-blessed.
Not everyone will necessarily understand or like it. But can you say yes to these two questions: First, is what I am doing, or plan to do, within God’s will; that is, is it true to God’s Word? Secondly, am I confident that what I am doing aligns with living and producing the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control)? If your answer is yes to both questions, then go ahead:
Toot your flute!
However, when measuring ourselves against God’s will and the Fruit of the Spirit, if we fall short of constructive practice and helpful communication, we get to apologize, work at changing unhelpful behavior, and keep moving forward. That’s what Christians do.
The bottom line is that we are called to lean into our vocations. That is, live your God-ordained life with confidence. Because there will always be people who will find you or your words or your actions offensive. Jesus predicted it (see Matthew 5:10-12; John 17:14). But he still needs us to do his work in our circle of influence. | 
