Keep Playing

I heard a sermon illustration today that has stayed with me all afternoon, so I wanted to record it here. A quick Google search revealed that there is no historical proof this situation ever really happened, so I have removed the name of the pianist attached to it. Regardless of whether it is fact or fiction, it is a beautiful metaphor that resonates with me in this season of my life:

Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a concert of an accomplished and renowned pianist. After they were seated, the mother spotted a friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her. Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored his way through a door marked "NO ADMITTANCE."

When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage.

In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit! Keep playing!"

Then, leaning over, the master pianist reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience.

The audience was so mesmerized that after the concert was completed they couldn't recall what else the great master played. Only the classic, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful.

I loved the reminder that my attempts are feeble on my own--but when paired with the Master, they can exceed anything that would be possible from my own strength or flesh.

But, I think this illustration is lacking a point. In our case, we did not wander out onto a stage we were never intended to be on. There was no sign marked "No Admittance." No, Scripture tells us we were chosen and called. God invited us to come up and join in the Masterpiece He is creating---and it wasn't mistake at all. He knows our limited abilities and calls us anyway.

The true mark of a Master, after all, is the ability to make something incredible out of not much at all.

I am in a season of my life that leaves me feeling ill-equipped for the tasks I have been assigned. I am overwhelmed, self conscious and fearful of failure. As I step up at my metaphorical piano, it is a precious gift to be reminded of God's faithful provision. He chose me for this spot. He has a plan. Mine is simply to be faithful with my life's version of Twinkle, Twinkle and let Him fill in the rest.

EDITED TO ADD: My husband told me he had seen this reenacted for a commercial...I tracked it down and found it too cute not to include.