1 Corinthians 4:14-17
I am not writing to embarrass you. I want to help you, just as parents help their own dear children. Ten thousand people may teach you about Christ, but I am your only father. You became my children when I told you about Christ Jesus, and I want you to be like me. That's why I sent Timothy to you. I love him like a son, and he is a faithful servant of the Lord. Timothy will tell you what I do to follow Christ and how it agrees with what I always teach about Christ in every church.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend shared a story via Facebook recently about a young violinist who played in a metro station in Washington, DC, one cold January morning. In 45 minutes, the young man played six pieces by Bach. People passed by without as much as a look. A few tossed money into his case. Some even paused briefly before they hurried on. One three-year-old boy stopped and listened to the musician, but his mother tugged and pushed and insisted he move ahead. Other children and parents were observed engaging in much the same interaction.
The Washington Post had planted this musician in the metro as an experiment. His name was Joshua Bell, and he was one of the most talented musicians in the world. One of the pieces he performed was considered to be the most complicated musical work ever written – and he played it on a violin worth $3.5 million! Two nights earlier, he had sold out a concert hall in Boston, where seats went for as much as $100 each. This morning he garnered $32 in “tips”.
The story claimed that the Post put Bell here as part of… “a social experiment about perception, taste, and priorities of people. The outlines were… in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: 1) Do we perceive beauty? 2) Do we stop to appreciate it? and 3) Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?”
The article concluded by asking (paraphrased)… “If we don’t pause in a crowded place to listen to one of the best musicians in the world play one of the most complicated, beautiful pieces of music ever written, what else might we be missing?” As I read this passage from Paul to the Corinthians, I asked myself how many people and situations God has sent to teach us about Jesus, and we were too busy or disinterested… lost in our own little worlds to recognize and appreciate them? Just as God used Paul to send Timothy to minister to the people of Corinth, He sends ministers to us each day. But do we recognize them?
There are thousands of “teachable moments” from God… but we miss too many of them. We overlook far too many opportunities to hear from God – to experience His glory and beauty in nature, music, the laugh of a child or even the touch of an adoring pet who paws at us, and more. We hurry onward and often do nothing more than toss a dollar bill into a collection plate – or give a sideward glance or lip service to who and what surrounds us - as we race to get to our next big event… failing to see God standing right before us creating a magnificent opus to begin our day!
Who has God sent your way to teach you and bless you? Where is He offering you “teachable moments” – and blessings to brighten your journey? Are you truly alert and appreciative? Do you recognize His presence with childlike innocence and intrigue… or are you far too busy? Can I tell you something? There is nothing more important that we have to do today than hear from God! Stop! Look! Listen! Hear God’s “music” and recognize those He sends to perform it for you. Pay attention to your Heavenly Father… and truly learn all you can from Him. Let this be the day you begin to slow down and recognize His presence… and to appreciate more deeply just how blessed we are by His love and care.
©2012 Debbie Robus
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