Vamping
“Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life, bringing peace, abolishing strife.”―Kahlil Gibran.
Once a week, I played harp duets with a highly talented harpist who tolerated my missed or absent notes and tried to teach an old harpist new tricks and fingering.
One year, Pam also taught me an unfamiliar word: vamping. She said, “I will vamp you in.” She plays a brief series of chords before I start my part of the piece. I definitely like the word. Vamping. It means playing a simple chord or beat, usually before someone else begins, and then perhaps continuing to play the background chords quietly as the other player takes the melody.
I think this best describes a meeting with a spiritual friend. I may ask a simple question, such as, “Where did you see God in your life today?” I may then repeat the question when the subject seems to change. Often, I keep praying that the Holy Spirit will guide us. These prayers are my chords.
Vamping also describes the ministry as a deacon. Deacons identify needs in the world and then share them with others in their congregation. We then support and lead others into that ministry, as they become passionate about it as well.
Our job is to stay connected to the beat as we listen for the rhythm and melody of the Holy Spirit’s presence in us and those we support. We remain in the background, supporting and undergirding others in ministry. We keep the beat going, listening and praying to hear and feel the presence of the Holy Spirit, who guides and directs both of us.
