KEEP ON KEEPING ON!

Once, during a live performance, a string on the violin of Itzak Perlman, one of the world’s greatest violinists broke, making a loud noise. The “snap” of the string echoed throughout the auditorium, stunning the conductor, the orchestra, and the audience. The conductor stopped the performance immediately. Everyone waited in silence, wondering what would happen. It seemed as though they were expecting Perlman to leave the stage and replace the broken string.

Quickly, and without hesitation, he motioned to the conductor and requested that they continue playing the concerto at the precise point where they had stopped. Perlman then joined them using only three strings.

At the conclusion of the concert, the audience gave him a long, standing ovation for his brilliant performance. Finally, when they paused he said, “Sometimes it is the artist’s responsibility to find out how much music he can make with what he has left after a tragedy.”

Often we are tempted to focus on how little we may have after experiencing a loss in our lives. We sometimes pout and ponder, grumble and gripe, questioning God’s wisdom rather than focusing on how much God has given us. We emphasize our fears and failures rather than God’s grace and goodness. We look into the mirror and say, “If I had one more string, I could play brilliantly and finish the concert.” Or, “God, why didn’t you break someone else’s string?” Or, “God, why did you do this to me when things were going so well?” Or…or…or…

God gives us opportunities and options, skills and talents, strength and power to meet every situation in life. Too often we willingly give up or give in and look for ways out of a situation where God has placed us, rather than to meet the challenge by calling on Him for His strength and power to overcome difficult times!.

Prayer: Lord, may we choose to rely on Your strength and power to stand fast and face life’s obstacles. Help us to rely on You and Your Word, and the gifts You have given us to succeed. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:   And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Romans 12:1