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The Sound of Surrender

Moments of Story, Moments with God

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18 

There she sat.

Again at the piano, as she had for hours every day. Her fingers flew over the keys. The music swelled to a grand crescendo and then… she stopped.

She was a good musician. At least, that’s what people said, but she wasn’t so sure. Not anymore. She just couldn’t get this piece right. 

Technically there was nothing wrong. She played all the right notes, touched the proper keys, and yet it didn’t sparkle. The music was flat. If she would play ‘Who Let the Dogs Out,’ people would be more inspired.

Frustration hit hard. Her fingers ached and her arms grew weary. She wasn’t gifted at all. She should tell Pastor Graham she couldn’t play for the service this Sunday.

His face had that radiant warm smile when he had asked her to play. “It’s such a tender piece,” he said. “Your music will lift the entire church into the heavenly spheres. I don’t know anyone who could perform it like you.”

But she couldn’t.

She just didn’t get it right.

The hymn wasn’t too difficult. That wasn’t the problem.

But what was?

After another failed attempt, she rested her head in frustration on the keys. Tears threatened and she whispered a broken prayer. “Lord, I can’t do it. It doesn’t sound like heaven at all. Rather, it sounds like…” She stopped, unable to put into words what it really sounded like.

“It sounds like… you?” A tender voice spoke to her heart.

“She blinked, and the words crawled up her spine. Yes, that’s what was wrong with it. She was trying too hard and it showed.

It sounds like you. It had been about her all along, hadn’t it? Her gift. Her performance. Playing for approval, not for Him.

“I’m sorry, Lord,” she whispered.

But how could she step out of herself? The temptation rose to slam the piano closed, get up and make herself a cup of hot chocolate milk. It was her favorite comfort food.

But something kept her glued to her stool…

A deep stillness settled on her heart as she forced all other voices out and entered the secret place. A wonderful peace, without words or sound, and yet full of music and inspiration, met her there in the green pastures near the still waters.

Fresh thoughts surfaced. The music was not in the notes alone. There had to be a transcendence. She had to become one with the music. The world did not need her, nor her skill or zeal. It needed God working through her.

 She opened her eyes and stared at the keys. Nothing special. Just the same old ivory keys she had touched a thousand times before. And yet, they were calling out to her: “Let’s all play together in a heavenly symphony.”

She could not resist and her fingers once more fell on the keys.

This time it was different. Heaven opened, and for the first time, her piece sounded just right. 

Beautiful. She was certain, angels joined in the music and her living room became a temple of joy.

Thank you, Lord. I will play this Sunday.

That Sunday when she sat down before the piano, fear struck.

Could she do it again? The church was filled to the brim. People looked at her with expectant eyes. “Dear Lord,” she prayed. “Will You do it again?”

She closed her eyes and her fingers landed on the keys.

Music that was not from this earth chased away the darkness of doubt and fear, that had clawed its tentacles in the hearts of many. 

Old widow Mary Barnaby, who had not smiled in months, raised her arms in joyful worship.

Baker Peters, not a very emotional man, let his tears flow freely, and Barry, the alcoholic, finally surrendered his heart to God.

Afterwards, Pastor Graham beamed. “It was everything I wanted it to be,” he said in warm tones.  “I knew you could do it.” 

She shook her head. “God did it, Pastor,” she said. “Nobody can play like He can.”

Prayer
Jesus, forgive me for the times when my gifts sound more like me instead of like You. Will you teach me to let You play Your heavenly symphony through my yielded heart? Amen

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