Our group has been together now for ten years. Same four guys, same purpose—to make music that is inspiring, uplifting, and fun to people of all faiths. Making music is such a blast, a creative rush, and definitely a blessing.
Not one of us Jericho Roadsters was raised by parents who wanted to see their son make it in the music business. As we have talked about it, we all had pretty similar upbringings doing what boys do: riding bikes, swimming, playing sports, mowing the lawn, fighting with siblings . . . all that good stuff. But we also were fortunate enough to have other influential activities: passing the sacrament, scouting, Mutual, youth conferences, temple trips, missions . . . and all that other good stuff.
However, looking back (and it’s a little more obvious now), music and entertainment were also something each of us was exposed to at a relatively young age.
Take Dave—that kid was trying to match the pitch on a microwave while he was still in diapers . . . beeeeeeeeep (go ahead and ask him).
And Abe—he was brought up doing some acting, modeling, and a lot of gospel singing at his Granddaddy’s church.
Then there’s Bret—well, anyone born within two hours of Nashville is born with music in his bones.
As for me, the handsome one in the group, music and singing was something that I always “got”—something I liked, something I listened to, something I participated in from the time my mom signed me up in a children’s choir when I was ten.
Not one of us knew it early on, but our adolescent involvement in music was preparing us for something. It took a while for me to see it. I had never considered that my interest in singing was more than just a way to impress a girl. Or that it was more than just a way to do some traveling. Never recognized that my talent, and sharing that talent, was preparing me for something . . . something like Jericho Road . . . until I was serving as a missionary. And even then, when I felt that I was going to use my voice for something more than just an extracurricular activity, I didn’t have a clue that I had been/was being prepared for this opportunity. But I did start to believe, as Abe Lincoln shared, if I would continue to prepare, “perhaps my chance will come.”
So, I kept using it. Kept sharing it. I even worked at it. Not constantly, but consistently . . . mixing it in with other things I enjoyed. Preparing for an opportunity that might come.
It wasn’t long until the opportunity did come. I was a senior in college to be exact. And man, I was ready for it. Luck probably had a lot to do with it, but I also believe that “luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity” (Seneca).
So, here’s what I learned: whether we know it or not, the Lord is preparing us for something. Our job is to be ready for that moment. To be ready to listen when somebody needs to talk. To be ready to open our mouths when someone is prepared to listen. To be ready to lend a hand when someone could use a little help. To be ready to sing when somebody needs to hear our song.