Years ago, there was a master violinist in Europe. He would play in concerts, and he had a magnificent Stradivarius violin, extremely expensive. He would play the Stradivarius violin in concert and everyone would whisper in the crowd, “Listen to the beautiful sounds of the Stradivarius.”
He would play in churches, and people would say, “Listen to the beautiful sounds of the Stradivarius.” He even played before kings and queens, and they, too, would turn to one another and say, “Listen to the beautiful sounds of the Stradivarius.” All the glory went to the instrument.
Then one day this master violinist was walking by a pawn shop. He noticed an old, beat-up, worn-out violin. He walked into the pawn shop and asked how much it would cost. The owner of the pawn shop told him the American equivalent of five dollars. He bought the violin, and he took it home. He polished it, and he refined it, and he tuned it, and he retuned it, and he built some character into that violin. Then, when he was to play the greatest performance of his life in a concert hall, he took out the little, five-dollar, worn-out, beat- up violin that he had polished and refined. He put it up to his chin, and he began to play, and everybody in the concert hall whispered, “Listen to the beautiful sounds of the Stradivarius.”
These words from Ron Lee Davis in his preaching material entitled “Rejoicing in Our Suffering” is a great reminder for us not to forget the Musician.
I do a great deal of speaking.
If musicians give concerts I give seminars and keynotes.
After a moving speech or a life-changing seminar people come to me and say, “You are the best I have ever heard.”
I smile and say “Thank you…you are very kind.”
I do my radio program, I write my books and I do my newspaper column and eventually people would send me emails, drop me a text message and compliment me with the material and I always respond with a “Thank You.”
Makes me feel good. But here is the key.
I need to remind myself that I can do this only because I am an instrument and I should never forget the Musician.
I can only do what I do if I point the adulation to the One who has given me the ability to do this. I take the Scriptures seriously especially the part that says without Christ, I can do nothing.
The only reason why we can do what we do is all because of the Grace of God. We are accomplishing His Purpose. With this as a thought then we are willing to be tuned by Him and we are willing to be played by Him no matter who or what the audiences are.
Speak in a classy hotel? Sure. Speak in an international convention center. Of course. But to speak under torn roof, non-concreted public schools that cannot even afford a low cost sound system? Aha…that is where the challenge is.
If I say no because the place and the people are inconvenient for me then I have increased and my God the Musician has decreased but if I accept the invitation with a cheerful heart knowing that God is about to play me again and have His Purpose met then the music comes out beautiful.
You and I are only as good as God would allow us to be.
Most people miss out on the verse. That God has given us a life to be lived to the full. And most people think that fullness living means living life enjoying all the blessings that God provides. While this is true is some cases we also need to consider the trials and challenges that come. They too constitute fullness living because they’re what make us stronger. Stronger in character and stronger in our love and trust in the living God.
We are His instruments and we are to serve and the only way we can be effective is when we know that without the Player then we accomplish nothingl
This is why we should decrease and only God increases!
Amen to that! You are one beautiful instrument that keeps on producing good music.
You have a great wisdom, a great faith & exhaust your talent properly. I have attended 2-3 seminars of yours & you never fail to amaze me. God be with you always Sir & may you have more power on preaching & teaching others.
gud day sir francis or i say saint francis… i really admire your writings, in fact i’m an avid fan of your… i read a lot of your books since it was introduce to me by my sister… what i really like is your connection to Jesus and how you connect it in business in which i can relate very much… i would like to attend your seminar in leadership so i can apply it to my business and my service to our church as well… for me your like saint Paul who guides believers to follow Christ… i pray that i will be like you… thanks and God bless in all your endevour.
Very true sir, everything is God’s grace and you are one of His most gracious gift to us. Continue to share the talents that God has bestowed you sir. God bless you and your love ones. Mama Mary loves you…
Thanks, Sir Francis.
Indeed, great instruments always uphold the greatness of the Musician and give Him glory always. In the end, the instrument is useless without the Musician.
Thanks Chris!
hello po! it’s a nice post! I’ll spread it through my blogsite. Hope you permit to do so, sir. Thank you so much! 🙂
By all means please spread this around. thanks.
Again, a very wonderful message from “the” Francis Kong. But like you’ve said, the glory be to our God alone. May you continue to play beautiful sounds sir, like a Stradivarius violin, with God as the Musician. God Bless you more!
“BEAUTIFUL” I LOVE IT … HE IS THE BEST MUSICIAN… GOD BLESS YOU MORE & YOUR FAMILY AS YOU TOUCH MANY PEOPLES LIVES “IN GOD WE TRUST”.
Thank you Evelyn. God bless you.
Hello there Sir Francis,
Definitely true Sir, as children of God we should always remember that everything we do, we do it for God for we are just HIS instruments. We cannot be as effective and known if we are not in tuned to our Great Musician.
Sir thank you, this is another great soul feeding article you had been shared to us base to your personal experiences. You are truly one among God’s instruments that is fully in tuned to HIM. God bless Sir.
You are so right Juvy! God bless you.
Amen! 🙂
Well said sir Francis. Thank you and May God Bless you always.
Your humility makes you even greater. Thanks God for people like you. Despite the success, wisdom, and talent your feet are still on the ground.
God bless Mr. Francis!
Hope to meet you next year! =)