I
have always loved music. Though I
have a banjo that I play now and then, the instrument that through the years
that I have been most proficient in using is my voice. I have sang in church choirs, college
choirs, and even a gospel quartet and enjoy listening to most types of
music. While I was most proficient in
using the instrument of my voice, my brother Tony was most proficient in
playing the guitar. He will always be my favorite guitar picker.
My
grandchildren, Madelyn and Eloise, are learning to play musical
instruments. They go to a school in
Houston, Texas where music is a big part of the school curriculum. Madelyn is learning to play the cello while
Eloise is learning to play the violin. Because of the distance between us, most of
the time I only hear them play through videos that are sent my way. Learning to read music and to play music is
a valuable skill in many ways. I look
forward to seeing whether these musical
instruments are a short term interest or a long term passion
for the grandchildren.
There
are all sorts of instruments that can be used to praise the living and loving
God. The longest book in the Bible is
the book of Psalms, and the last Psalm, Psalm 150, encourages us to praise God
with instruments like the harp, lyre, trumpet, and the like. I got to thinking the other day about what
is God’s favorite instrument, and the answer was pretty easy to determine: YOU AND I.
As Christmas Day approaches, I
find myself thinking of the story of the birth of Jesus. A young woman named Mary was willing to be
God’s instrument and vessel for Jesus to be born in the world despite the scandal
she must have endured with bearing a child out of wedlock. Human beings are God’s favorite
instrument. God wants to use us to
glorify His name. That cello that
Madelyn plays does not have a choice about whether it is played or not, and
neither does that violin that Eloise plays.
But you know what? We have a
choice of whether we will be an instrument for the glory of God. Are you a willing instrument? Have a joy-filled week. I close below with the prayer of St. Francis written years
ago. - Pastor Randy Wall
PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS
Lord make Me an instrument of Your peace
Where there is hatred let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness joy.
O Divine master grant that I may
Not so much seek to be consoled as to console
To be understood, as to understand.
To be loved. as to love
For it's in giving that we receive
And it's in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it's in dying that we are born...
To eternal life. Amen
