In years past, I was the choir director for several small choirs throughout Ohio and Kentucky. The time spent listening to cantatas and allowing the music to touch me were very special to me. I looked forward to Christmas and Easter because of what we collectively as a choir would present to our fellow congregants as well as visitors.

Some of my productions were quite large and elaborate while others were simple without drama or staging. But either way, the message was always that of God. His message was presented.

One particular song from a cantata hit me hard and it has stuck with me through the years. And after you listen to the music and read through the lyrics, I’m sure you’ll know why and perhaps you’ll be touched as I have been.

The song is from the cantata “Once and For All” by Tom Fettke with narration writings by Max Lucado. The entire cantata is filled with meaningful words and music, but “Playing Games” brought the whole scene into my world and made me think of what games I was playing in Christ’s Church.

So, read through the words and perhaps listen to the song and you’ll understand what I mean.

“Playing Games at the Foot of the Cross”

You’ve heard the story, many times before –
How the soldiers gambled for the robe of the Lord.
Their laughter drowning out, the Savior’s cry,
“Father forgive them” as He bows his head and dies.

And they were playing games at the foot of the cross,
so close to his struggle, yet so far from the cost.
Never feeling the shame and never sensing the loss.
They were playing games at the foot of the cross.

We’re so quick to judge them yet so slow to see
how their games resemble the ones played by you and me.
As we fight for position in the Church of God
While the world just goes on dying without the Savior’s love.

We’re just were playing games at the foot of the cross,
so close to his struggle yet so far from the cost.
Never feeling the shame and never sensing the loss.
We’re just playing games at the foot of the cross.

We’re just playing games at the foot of the cross,
so close to his struggle yet so far from the cost.
Never feeling the shame and never sensing the loss.
We’re just playing games at the foot of the cross.[i]

You can listen to this portion of the cantata by going to this link.

Yes, these words still touch me. I still struggle with this same issue. I get so busy with my own life that I forget about those around me who do not know Jesus. And I have the message. I have the gift of salvation. I know how it can change a life. And yet, how often do I take the time to share it?

I don’t like seeing myself in this way, but I must. For if I never know the areas where I need to improve, I will remain the same.

We are called by Jesus to be His followers, to accept His cross, to bear His Name, to share His message. It’s a package deal. We can’t just pick and choose what we want.

So where do we begin?

First we must know it. Let’s get into God’s Word and really know what He has to say. Study His Scripture to gain insight for your soul (2 Timothy 2:15).

And we must live it. If we know it, we must follow it. We must live out the words of God day-to-day (Romans 12:2).

Then we must share it. As the message changes you, you will find it more difficult to keep it to yourself. You really will want to share it with others (Colossians 3:16).

We don’t want to continue to play games at the foot of the cross. So let’s move along. Let’s get active. Let’s get doing. There is so much at stake. Are you with me?

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

[i] Playing Games at the Foot of the Cross, Tom Fettke, © 1994 Word Music, Inc. (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)