The gospel according to Da Capo.....

When I started out, I loved playing the piano. After a while, when I realized that it wasn't just playing cool or beautiful tunes, but it required me to know and understand how to integrate musical theory into my playing, I cared for it less. I loved to play, but I hated to practice and I paid less and less attention to the rudimentary function of theory and notation. My music teachers continually emphasized musical theory and It made more sense as I began to recognize the vital part it played in mastery of my instruments and musical skills.

It's the da capo, often seen in written music as D.C., D.C. al Fine or D.D. al Coda. Da capo directs the musician back to the beginning of the musical piece to repeat what was played initially. D.C. al Fine means to repeat from the beginning all the way to the end. D.C. al Coda means to repeat from the beginning up to the point where the da coda appeared. In any of these scenarios, one big idea persists--return to the beginning and repeat. Whatever is going on in the piece, flats, sharps, crescendos, pianissimos, or fortes, the point at which the da capo shows up, everything transitions back to the beginning. There is a sort of restart or reset to the tune that brings the musician and her hearers back to the original melody before transitioning to a different part of the song or ending the song.

This idea struck me as I consider the pain, frustration, turmoil, unrest, discomfort, confusion, and upended nature of 2020 so far. There is so much uncertainty about the future and upheaval in our personal lives. It's like a variety of movements in a song. Some are soft and smooth while others are choppy and boisterous. Mostly offensive and unexpected. Our moods are affected. Our anxiety is heightened. Our faith is challenged. Our outlook becomes murky. Our enthusiasm wanes while our anticipation of positive change is diminished. There are questions concerning financial security, job security, economic security, relationship security, and societal security. We wonder if love is still possible, if hate is still probable, if reconciliation is still on deck, if systemic issues will ever go away, if all things are still possible. We didn't know that we could cry so many tears or wish this year away so frequently. We didn't know that the very thing that holds us together as human beings could fall apart so rapidly and inhospitably. We didn't realize how cruddy and dark and dismissive and cold this world really can be.

In a few months, we have encountered and experienced more flats and sharps and crescendos and decrescendos and fortes and staccatos and abrupt movements to last a lifetime. Enough to figure that we must be over it by now. It has been hard to catch our breath. But then, as we furiously play our song, we see it. The da capo. Like a flashing, fluorescent sign, It beckons us to return to the beginning of the song. It signals us that it is time to breathe among all of the chaos by going back to the beginning. Why? To restart. To be reset. To be reminded of the melody of God's promises to us. What promises? I'm glad you asked.... The da coda calls attention to the truth of God's Word--His Word to us personally. He said that He would never leave or forsake us. He said that His grace was enough for us. He said that all things were possible. He said that while we would have trouble in this world, He had already overcome and conquered this world on our behalf. He said that if He is for us, then nothing will be against us. He said that no weapon formed against us will succeed. He said that nothing could ever separate us from His love--nothing. Not our circumstances. Not our pain. Not our experiences. Not our mistakes. Not our depression. Not our anxiety. Not our lack of peace. Not our disappointment. Not this crazy world. Not what's going on right now nor what can or will happen in the future. Not death. Not anything. Nothing can get in the way of His love for us.

"What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us? He who did not spare [even] His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?" Romans 8:31-32 AMP

Wherever you are today, I encourage you to take notice that Jesus is calling you to return to the beginning--to rehearse His promises to you about how special you are to Him, how protective He is of you, and how He will take care of you no matter what. In fact, your circumstances are no match for His affection for you. He has your best interest at heart. Return to the truth of His commitment to your well-being, then continue playing your song. Your da coda may be directing you to return to the beginning and repeat up to the point where you currently are. This will bring on a refreshing and the strength to keep moving forward in faith. Or, it may be directing you to return to the beginning and keep going to the end. This will encourage you to power through your season. Whichever path is yours, embrace it with the assurance that God is your place of safety (Psalm 119:14) and He has a million ways of working things out for your good and His glory.

"And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose." Romans 8:28 AMP

There is peace in the da coda. Be encouraged, my friends.