A (Trumpet) Blast From the Past
Bruce Smith
I played trumpet in the marching band in high school. I admit it. I was a band geek. (Now I'm just an old geek.) So, trumpet players like Herb Alpert, Doc Severinson, Al Hirt, Maynard Ferguson, Lee Loughnane, and Scott Bornfleth (a high school band-mate) made big impressions on me. When I discovered that a Christian music group called Truth included trumpets, I was jazzed (so to speak). High school illusions of personal future Truth-trumpet grandeur gave way to realism when I refused to practice 8 hours a day. But I bought the Truth LPs and listened to them endlessly at high volume on my 20 lb Koss stereophonic headphones. My friend and fellow Truth afficionado, Brad, converted this to digital format for perpetuity (or at least until something else replaces mp3), allowing me the pleasure of listening to the Truth trumpet section anytime I choose. But that's actually not why I'm writing. Consider all that "context."
The first track on the album is called "That's Worth Everything." Until today I didn't know this was a Bill Gaither song, but it doesn't surprise me. The lyrics are below with credit to Gaither Music.
Some men will trade the warmth of home and friends for just a taste of fame. Some men will risk their reputations that men may know their name. But just to know that all is clear between my soul and God’s dear Son, and hear Him say, “Well done”—that’s worth everything!
Just to know the future’s His forever, just to feel the freedom of a child, just to know the past is gone and sunshine’s here to stay, and He is Lord of all—oh, that’s worth everything!
To know when tiny feet walk in the path that I have left behind, that they will make their way to Jesus contentment there to find. And just to know down deep within my heart that I have wronged no man, and fit my Master’s plan—that’s worth everything!
Just to know the future’s His forever, just to feel the freedom of a child, just to know the past is gone and sunshine’s here to stay, and He is Lord of all—oh, that’s worth everything!
And He is Lord of all. Oh, that’s worth everything, worth everything!
© 1974 Gaither Music (admin. by Gaither Copyright Management ) / ASCAP. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
There are some truths and Truths that are timeless. And even though I'm not sure that the "sunshine's here to stay," I'm quite sure that "He is Lord of all." I also know that on the days when I can lose track of what's important, these words are great reminders—and the trumpet tracks are inspired as well!
