284th Reflection💬

“His preparation or my prayers, which comes first❓”

His preparation always comes first.
……

2022/05/17 (Tue) Band Room

Another me said, “Any reply from HKAPA?”

I said, “Yes.”

Another me said, “Proceed the application.”

I said, “The deadline’s passed. I get to wait for next year’s opening.”

Another me said, “Any other information?”

I said, “Yes. If I apply for BMus - Composition and Electronic Music, I have to pass 5 tests in 2 auditions.”

Another me said, “The 1st test?”

I said, “Harmony, ok, no problem.”

Another me said, “The 2nd test?”

I said, “Aural Perception, not ok.”

Another me said, “The 3rd test?”

I said, “Composition Portfolio, not ok.”

Another me said, “The 4th test?”

I said, “Keyboard Skills, not ok.”

Another me said, “The 5th test?”

I said, “Harmony, Orchestration and Counterpoint, not ok.”

Another me said, “Out of the 5 tests, you’ve got 4 NOT OK. What to do?”

I said, “Let’s seek help from the director in the applied music class this Thursday.”
…….

2022/05/19 (Thu) 16:00 Hong Kong International Institute of Music (HKIIM)

Applied Music Class

I told the director about my decision to apply for BMus - Composition and Electronic Mudic in HKAPA next year and the 5 tests I need to face.”

Director said, “Um….no problems.”

I said, “No, I’ve problems. I can’t handle them.”

Director said, “I mean, someone in IIM can help you.”

I said, “Who?”

Director said, “Aural Perception, ask Kwok Sir.”

I said, “OK.”

Director said, “Composition Portfolio, ask Dr. So.”

I said, “Good.”

Director said, “Keyboard Skills, ask Charlie sir.”

I said, “Nice.”

Director said, “Harmony, Orchestration and Counterpoint, ask Dr. So.”

I said, “Wonderful, get it. Thank you very much.”
……

2022/05/20 (Fri) 19:00 HKIIM

I asked Charlie Sir, got advices and help from him, and found how to prepare for Keyboard Skills.

2022/05/27 (Mon) 22:00 HKIIM

I asked Dr. So, got advices and help from him, and found how to prepare for Composition Portfolio, Harmony, Orchestration and Counterpoint.

2022/05/29 (Wed)  20:30 HKIIM

I asked Mr. Kwok, got advices and help from him, and found how to prepare for Aural Perception.
……

Another me said, “It takes only 2 weeks.”

I said, “What?”

Another me said, “It takes only 2 weeks for you to find the teachers you need since you received the information from HKAPA. There’re a lot of professionals in HKIIM, aren’t there?”

I said, “Would you believe it if I said no?”

Another me said, “And all of them are Christians as well.”

I said, “Yes.”

Another me said, “They’re Christians. They’ll help you anyway.”

I said, “Are you mad? Who says Christians will help anyway? It’s up to them.”

Another me said, “I don’t want to drill into that topic. By the way, you’re quite lucky. It takes 2 weeks for you to find all the teachers that you need.”

I said, “How can there be so much luck? Let’s leave IIM and see if you can find the Christian teachers that major in music, that you need, and that are able and willing to help you?”

Another me said, “I don’t know where to go searching.”

I said, “Where is the luck that you’ve just mentioned?”

Another me said, “If it isn’t luck, what is it?”

I said, “Preparation.”

Another me said, “The Lord will start His preparation after your prayers?”

I said, “Impossible.”

Another me said, “When did the Lord start His preparation?”

I said, “At the very beginning.”

Another me said, “When is the very beginning?”

I said, “Much earlier than your prayers, He’s started His preparation.”

Another me said, “Are you the author? You tell the story. You need no evidence. In my opinion, from one perspective, He’s had a plan to offer help and He’s prepared you teachers before your prayers. From another perspective, He’s had no plan to offer help. He’s moved by your prayers to arranging teachers for you. Both interpretations work.”

I said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Trash. You’re just an ignorant fool. It’s certain that the Lord has made preparations before our prayers.”

Another me said, “Trash? I’m an ignorant fool? Evidence. Show me.”

I said, “Do you know how long it takes to equip with music abilities, bring to faith and arrange in the same music school three Christian teachers to offer you help at the same time? 2 weeks?”

Another me said, “Oh you…”

I said, “So ignorant you are. Let me equip you with a few scriptures.”

“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:7-8) [NIV]