A Bonus

The definition of the word “bonus” is:  A payment or gift added to what is usual or expected, in particular.  Often when we introduce ourselves at a concert or some other ministry event, we will say, “We are best friends who consider it a bonus to minister together.”  You see we truly feel blessed to have a deep and abiding friendship.  One that comes from years of doing life together.  That God would allow us to still be the dearest of friends after all these years — 21 to be exact — is a huge blessing.  That He would also allow us to still be singing and teaching His word together is an added bonus.

Early on we adopted Philippians 2:1-2 as the focal verses of our ministry.  Here’s what the Apostle Paul was saying to the church at Philippi and to future believers:  Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.  When we get together for a rehearsal or meeting, we will often reread these verses so we don’t forget why we do what we do.   We love that God continues to use us after all these years to encourage the Body of Christ through music and teaching His word.  Often, after a concert or conference, we will each comment how God spoke to our own hearts as we sang some of the same songs we’ve been singing for years.  That’s a “bonus” — that God encourages and speaks to our hearts while He uses us to encourage and speak to the hearts of other believers.

Sometimes we wonder how much longer God will continue to use us, then we get another call to sing or teach somewhere.  So, we’ll just keep collecting that “bonus” until He decides we’ve had enough.