Trios, Walks, and Filling the Gym

My Power Trio. 

Don’t resist or retain, release and receive. 

Write the opus and fill the gym. 

The Power Trio is a term used to describe a rock band with only three musicians: a guitarist, bassist, and drummer. One or more of these musicians also provide vocals. It is a condensed format that highlights the powerful skills and chemistry of these artists. There have been several notable power trios, but Cream was arguably the first with Clapton, Bruce, and Baker. MY favorite was Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble which included Jack Newhouse and Chris Layton. 

So, the idea of a power trio was born in the music industry, but I’ve thought a lot about my scriptural Power Trio. These three passages that have worked together to nourish my soul and guide my steps. These are Romans 12:1-2, Mark 12:30-31, and Galatians 5:22-23. Yes, all of scripture is useful for teaching and directing, but these three have been foundational, giving me a nice hermeneutic (lens) to read and understand scripture as a whole. 

Speaking of trios, I found my journal from two years ago where I was talking about the prayer walks I do. I often us a labyrinth to help me release, receive, and return. This is in response to my selfish desire to resist, retain, and react. This is a wonderful trio: to release the burdens and struggles we carry, to receive the gifts of peace and joy, and to return to our world restored and ready to serve. Ready to connect. Ready to fill our gymnasium. 

One of my favorite movie scenes of all time is the ending of Mr. Holland’s Opus. When the music teacher, Mr. Holland, enters the gymnasium to find it filled with former students, now adults, who have been affected by him and his small efforts over time as a public servant. I love to think of that gym as an analogy for all of us. Each of us are connected with so many others in our communities and in our families, past and present. It doesn’t matter that we are separated by time and geography, we are connected. I know there will never be an “opus moment” but we can each imagine our own gymnasium, filled with those we love and have shared with in those seemingly small life moments.  

Let’s look for opportunities to fill the gym. To release, receive, and return. To be grounded, nourished, and led.