Making Music

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms"- 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV).

Would a painter be happy if canvas and paint were denied him? Or a writer, refused the implements necessary to set his thoughts into written words? Will a musician remain satisfied with silence from his hands? My husband is a musician...a very talented musician...who has searched for years for a venue to serve the Lord. My husband's joy was, and still is, evident when he shares how God has removed the silence, replacing it with praise and worship, by opening a door where he can serve God through using his gift of playing music. God gives gifts to be used in His service and He puts the drive, the yearning, into the hearts of the recipients of those gifts. Their joy is found in using those God-given gifts to serve the Lord. Maybe the gift is teaching, or preaching, or caring for those who are weak, but we all have gifts. Remember the parable of the talents? Found in Matthew 25:14-30: The master left three of his stewards with talents; one with five, one with two, and the last with one. The first two used their talents in service to their master. The last buried his and it was not used. The master was angry with him; calling him a wicked, lazy steward (v 26). As believers, we are called to serve, and God gives us the gift(s) we need to do so. Then, instead of being called wicked and lazy, we will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant! Come and share your Master's happiness!" (v 23). Oh what joy in sharing in our Master's happiness!