Tuesday, March 28: What is Salvation?

For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

When I read this passage, I have thought often about what it means to be saved – both now and in the life to come. For me in the present, salvation means being with people I love. It means taking stock of the gifts I have been given through the challenges and through the moments of divine laughter. It means hearing/appreciating music that is beautiful, that is performed with passion. It means forgiving myself for saying the wrong thing, doing the wrong thing, thinking the wrong thing. It means appreciating the times when I move people positively. It means feeling gratitude for every learning opportunity. Salvation to me is praising God for the gift of life.

As to what happens in the life to come, I have always imagined it as a place of acceptance and transformation. While I am honestly nervous about having to come to a reckoning for the good and bad decisions I have made through this life, I also see it as a chance to let go of everything, letting my soul be free from worry and doubt, and instead, replacing every ounce of my presence with light, love, and joy – a warmth that is not overwhelming, but peaceful.

There are moments in my life where I have experienced “the peace that passes all understanding.” When this has happened, it’s just the most brief flash; however, in that singular moment, I feel a singularity with everything, and it is bliss. It is a freedom through surrender to God that feels natural. It is an outgrowth of my life on earth, and this comes with the most profound thanks I can offer for what Jesus has done for all of us as our loving Savior. Thanks be to God.

Paul Hostetter is a Professor of Music at Columbus State University where he holds the Ethel Foley Distinguished Chair in Orchestral Activities. He has served as a conductor for Broadway productions of Candide and the Gershwins' Fascinating Rhythm, has been on the conducting staff of the Metropolitan Opera, and has led recordings that have won a Grammy Award, a Downbeat Critics Award, and top five annual listings in the NY Times. He attends St. Thomas with his wife, conductor/violist Elizabeth Hostetter, daughters Vivian and Asha, and has served on the St. Thomas Vestry, the Endowment Committee, and chairs the St. Thomas Mens' Group. I asked Paul for fun facts about himself and he shared: I love to ride my bicycle and do so down the Riverwalk from Brookstone to the RiverCenter daily. I love riding roller coasters with my girls. I love riding a boogie board in the ocean and also reading fiction in the summers. I truly enjoy cooking food (now that I'm eating plant based foods only), and am grateful for my family's patience while I've gotten better at it!