Trevor attended my church鈥檚 youth group. No fan of boys, I paid no attention to him at first. But one evening he sat down at the piano in the rec hall. His long fingers trickled over the ivories like a rushing stream. He had no music. He didn鈥檛 look down, just kept talking to those who鈥檇 gathered round, singing and making requests. Soon he became the most popular among us. 聽
Trevor had a gift. Even as a teenager, he freely shared it. We loved him for that.
Ever since, I鈥檝e adored live music. Fingers stroking keys. Plucking strings. Pressing valves. Hands and sticks slapping skins, breath blowing through holes. Gifts developed. Gifts shared. Gifts joyfully received.
COVID-19 restrictions have curtailed, even killed many joys. But the pandemic has also allowed countless artists, including musicians, to share their gifts in beautiful, creative ways. The Preacher and I have enjoyed virtual and home concerts from people like Dino, the Gettys, Andrew Lloyd Weber and many others.
They offer their music not for profit, but for the love of making and sharing it. They remind me聽 that a gift not used is a gift abused. It鈥檚 why I keep writing this column. Why the Preacher keeps preaching, and why Marta Becket, dancer of the Death Valley desert, kept dancing, even when no one showed up to watch. (One day I鈥檒l write about that remarkable woman.)
From some musical artists, as it did with Trevor, music seems to flow from some inner fountain. A great memory and the instinctual gift of playing by ear, both developed through years of practice, make that possible. I saw those same gifts in our children, and now growing in our grandchildren. After years of study under excellent (and also gifted) teachers, I鈥檓 astounded by their skill. That they also share them with others fills me with joy. 聽
Yesterday, as I sat at my computer at work, the funeral of former Canadian Prime Minister John Turner played in the background. I had my back to the screen until a beloved voice, singing a beloved song, surprised me.
That鈥檚 gotta be John, I thought, turning in my seat. Sure enough. The camera focussed for a moment only on the snow-white head of Canadian tenor, John MacDermott. 鈥淎mazing grace, how sweet the sound鈥︹��
John鈥檚 God-given gift has cheered millions around the world. Through his music and an article I wrote about him years ago, he has also become a friend. We don鈥檛 communicate often, but I fired off a quick email, thanking him for the beautiful moment of surprise and remembrance. He responded with gratitude.
1 Peter 4:10 reminds us that God gives everyone gifts鈥攏ot to keep, but to give away. To serve others, as demonstrations of Divine grace.
What are your gifts? In these days, when fear and perplexity threaten, may I encourage you to use them to bless others?
