The musician, not the instrument

[steve in so la]

In his 1968 book Life More Abundant, Charles Allen told of a great violinist
who thrilled his audience with his playing. At the end of the piece, he
shocked onlookers by smashing the violin over a chair. (This was before rock
bands destroyed their instruments.)

Then he picked up another violin and said, "Don't be alarmed. The one I
smashed was purchased for only a few dollars in a shop down the street. I
shall now play on my Stradivarius."

He played the same selection, but most of the listeners could not tell the
difference.

Then the violinist said, "Friends, so much has been said about the value of
my violin that I wanted to impress upon you that music is not in the
instrument; it is in the one who plays upon it."

We often think it takes special people to do great things in the world. But
the virtuoso God who plays his perfect music can use any willing instrument.
You. Me. Anyone who puts himself in God's hands.

Not the instrument, but the musician, makes the music.

I'm glad God can use me to produce his sweet strains and further his plan
for the world.

Take this truth and shine brightly where you are today.

"The Musician Makes The Music", By J. Randal Matheny

 

[warthog]

AMEN!!Even if you have an $8.000.00 acoustic guitar-Yes,they can be that much-If you dont know how to play,it will sound just as bad as if you played on a $200.00 cheapo...It will sit there in the corner all by itself-and never make a sound-until the MUSICIAN plays it-It is TRULY a gift from God to have musical ability... PRAISE THE LORD!!

 

[steve in so la]

for detectors and detectorists also Steve

 

[MI$$OURI BETTY]

Yes, Steve, but I've had many years of using my detectors and finding some nice items plus lots of junk! The more we use anything...whatever it may be...(even cooking, sewing, mechanics, painting houses or pics, photography, physcians, nurses, accounting and etc)....the better we become in using the instrument needed for the gift(s) God has given us to use for His glory and praise!

Now, God gives me poetry to write for Him and use to witness to others who need saved &/or encouragement to continue on the path He has chosen for them! A gifted musician usually can play any instrument they pick up and use, the same with an artist who can paint anything they see...I see God's beauty in nature and spiritually by His Holy Word and that's what I write in the poetry He gives me!

You have many talents and gifts to use for God...so whatever you do, do it all for the glory of our Lord!

God Bless!
Betty

 

[rentasquid]

n/t

 

[rentasquid]

I play a little guitar, and I bought mine on ebay for around 200. I can do ok, but always struggled playing Barred chords. I picked up a friends 70's era Martin and I could play it much better. Thats a case where the instrument does make a difference. It turned me from a mediocre player into a virtuoso(ok, I might be stretching it a bit)

J.

 

[VT Dave]

n/t

 

[Mike from MI "Iron Brigade"]

the same thing about the detectorist and his machine!

 

[Philo_NY]

Brothers and Sisters, First God bless you all, and I know I've been not posting here of late, but that's another story, and while I have not been here your prays to our Lord have been answered because a lot of things have been going wrong, but our most powerful God has given me the wisdom to deal and correct the problems.

I have a different understanding of the story...Don't get me wrong, I love the story because I am a musician and have played very expensive saxophones, like my vintage french mark VI Selmer Sax, and have also played inexpensive ones like a Winston, Bogani, and this is just my view of the story.

First, the well made instrument according to what this musician he was demonstrating was no different than the cheap one. Now he says that the musician is the difference, but what can we identify the player to each of the instrument other than he's an accomplished musician. We need to compare the musical instruments and the player to come to an understand I was given as I contemplated this story.

Can we compare the instruments as being two parts of how the world is, as having good and having evil or bad in it? Or is it an example of how God uses people with his word, or is that the fine musical instrument is an illustration as the word of God, and to me is far more valuable than the cheap instrument which can represent the false doctrines that are causing so much problems in the body of Christ today. So we see that it's difficult to see the similarity of the teaching here or the point he's making that the musician makes the difference, because both instruments can be used to bring about a true doctrine or false doctrine to the church.

He could have said that a false doctrine is like a cheap violin and even though it sounded good it will not hold up to the true wear and tear a good musician will put on the instrument through, as compared with the well made instrument, as one who can see through the false doctrines being taught, because a Strat... is so carefully made as the word is written as the inspiration of God. The Stard.. is made of the best materials, paints and varnishes so the Strad... can be compared as being like the word of God which stands and has with stood the test of time. The good instrument brings out the true inspired word of God.

Then we have the player who can be observed as a preacher, born again child of God, or the evangelist, but remember with the same ease that the violin player broke the cheap violin, God can also break a false preacher or born again child, or the Evangelist, but because of his love, and although God may need to break that cheap instrument from time to time as Moses was broken, God may or may not break the instrument entire, (them, you or me) or completely, because...

God's word says... I will have mercy on who I will have mercy. Sometimes we or a person that needs some breaking in order to be corrected is broken or tested only to make them or us stronger, so that we as players of those good instruments can play the true notes of God's Gospel throughout the world we live in. in order to bring the true words of salvation and thus bring the sinner to the Lord in Repentance of their sins... just my two cents...

Phil_NY