The Surrounding Master

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:25-34 ESV).

A mother wishing to encourage her son's progress at the piano bought tickets to a Paderewski performance. When the evening arrived, they found their seats near the front of the concert hall and eyed the majestic Steinway waiting on stage. Soon the mother found a friend to talk to, and the boy slipped away. At eight o'clock, the lights in the auditorium began to dim, the spotlights came on, and only then did they notice the boy, upon the bench, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star". His mother gasped, but before she could retrieve her son, the master appeared on the stage and quickly moved to the keyboard. He whispered to the boy. "Don't quit. Keep playing." Leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in the bass part. Soon his right arm reached around the other side and improvised a delightful obligato. Together, the old master and the young novice held the crowd mesmerized. In our lives, unpolished though we may be, it is the Master who surrounds us and whispers in our ear time and time again, "Don't quit. Keep playing." And as we do, He augments and supplements, until a work of amazing beauty are created. Here are some observations about the support of God that I have found in my life.

 God is patient. When I think of the many things that have happened in my life I cannot help but be amazed at the patience of God. It leads me to the unshakable conclusion that I am important to Him and He desires to be personally involved in every aspect of my life.
 God is kind. God acts kindly and graciously on our behalf. This allows us to feel that we are worth God’s help and intervention.
 God is giving. God is someone who gives to us and supports us. We are worth God’s support and encouragement.
 God accepting. Regardless of what we do, God doesn’t dump on us or reject us when we struggle. He understands and encourages us. We are able to accept ourselves even when we blow it or don’t perform up to your potential.
 God is protecting. God does not leave us alone to fight our own battles. He provides us with protection from both spiritual and physical enemies.

Let the Master surround you today. Then you perform the masterpiece of your life!