Your Opus

Isaiah 30:29a But the people of God will sing a song of joy 

Mr. Holland’s Opus is the story of a dedicated music teacher, who dreams of becoming a famous composer, living in Hollywood and writing theme songs for movies. But a bigger plan is at work. He spends his entire career working with young high school students.

With great patience, he works with a street-wise tough kid who has a lousy attitude. With great compassion he works with an African American student who wants to play the drums, but has a terrible time finding the beat. With great tenderness he works with a red-headed girl with pigtails who wants to play the clarinet, but no one believes in her. No one helps her; no one encourages her but Mr. Holland. And he helps them all and hundreds more like them.

When time for retirement comes, as he cleans out his music room, he tells his family that he feels like such a failure. He never accomplished his great dream; no Hollywood, no famous compositions. With slumped shoulders, he begins to leave for the last time. Suddenly, he hears a noise coming from the auditorium. He opens the door to an amazing sight—the large room is jam-packed with his former students, exploding into a long, thunderous, standing ovation. They have come back to express their love and appreciation to this wonderful man who gave so much of his life to them.

Then, the little girl with red pigtails goes to the microphone. She’s all grown up now, and, in fact, is the governor of the state. She says, “Mr. Holland, we know you never got your dream to become a famous composer, but don’t you see? Your greatest composition is what you did with us, your students.” Waving her arm in a wide circle, she announced, “We are your great opus! Mr. Holland, we are the music of your life!” Tears and applause seem to last forever.

Our calling as a church is to be music to our world, to sing the song of love, forgiveness and faith, composed by God. We have been given the opportunity, the privilege, to be in the choir and sing that song of Good News—an opus of healing and redemption.

And remember, each of us has a solo part, to sing our particular verse. But we are not alone. The Holy Spirit is with us, to guide us, to inspire us, to teach us, and, yes, to comfort our nervousness. Your voice is needed.

We are a part of God’s earthly choir and with the help of the Holy Spirit, “We can’t stop singing songs of love for God.”

Excerpt from James W. Moore