MAKE ROOM FOR THE PIANO

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

I am often astounded by WHO GOD intersects me with.

Really. 

Last night was no exception.

This opioid crisis has mobilized so many talented people with a heart to help.  And not just heart mind you, but talent, experience, knowledge and expertise as well.  And as GOD allows me to share some time and company with these remarkable folks, I am constantly learning and constantly being reminded of how much “I DON’T KNOW”.  

Which is a good thing for me.

But the BONUS of being ‘out and about’ learning new plans, meeting new experts, seeing first hand new ideas, is the PEOPLE and their stories.

Case in point.

Last night I thought I was having dinner with a dear friend, a colleague whose heart for her work and the LORD are without measure.  But unexpectedly tagging along was her co-worker an intensely smart and accomplished woman.

So, while the dinner was to discuss “business”, the conversations quickly turned more personal.  And as I got to know my new friend, I knew we are going to be fast friends.

For as we were sharing a little history with one another, she shared a story that I thought bears repeating this morning in the OFH because it was such a validation of the intensely intimate nature of our Lord.

She was sharing about her CHURCH in Nevada, a multicultural traditional gathering to which she had been a part since she relocated there and how much of a blessing they were. 

But then she started to tell me about the “piano moment”.

Yes, the piano moment.

You see she had uprooted to relocated near Vegas to be a part of WESTCARE, an amazing organization doing innovative things in the recovery space.  And with her relocation she found herself a little alone.

So, one day during worship she was particularly aware of the lack of keyboard player on the team.  The Pastor even commented on their need for a piano player.  At the same time, she was getting an instant message on her phone inquiring about her keyboard prowess. She has played for a long time.

Now she had been feeling convicted to play for a while, but with her schedule and her lack of a keyboard to practice on, she had dismissed it as improbable.  She even had fully fleshed out plenty of valid rationalizations and excuses.

But GOD had a different thing in mind and the conviction continued.

The instant message about playing coupled with the timely plea from the pulpit convinced her that GOD had something in mind for her.  But there was still the issue of no piano for practicing, one of those excuses.

Until... 

She finally said YES to the Lord and to the CHURCH and within hours a piano was delivered to her home.  

That is for real.

She said yes and a piano appeared.

The lesson?

She heeded the LORD’s prompt.

Said YES to the need at hand and the LORD then gave her exactly what she needed to serve.

Now that in and of itself maybe doesn’t move you.

But I think that this will.

You see her relocation had left her feeling unfulfilled in her faith.  It had left her a little disconnected from GOD and from the energy of the body.  GOD knew this and He knew a little “RE-CONNECTION” to her talent was the remedy.  All she needed to do was say yes.

Euripides once remarked:

The care of God for us is a great thing… 

And it is true.

Not just for my new friend.

GOD is deeply invested in EACH one of us.  He knows WHAT we need, WHEN we need it and is faithful to provide if we ask and if we obey. - he is always watching, never sleeping. Jehovah himself is caring for you! Psalm 121:4-5 (LB)

So, my encouragement from this little story is this.

Never underestimate the intimacy or care of GOD for you.

He is deeply invested, always awake and ready for what is best for you; ready to deliver on what you need.

Our job is to watch for the signs, respond with obedience, rejoice in the blessing, and make room for the piano!

  

Have a blessed day…

I love you all.

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE