Give Anything
Eze 37:28 “‘The nations will realize that I, GOD, make Israel holy when my holy place of worship is established at the center of their lives forever.’”
A friend from several states away recently introduced me to the music of someone who lives right here in the Austin area. Upon hearing this guy’s music and watching the Youtube episodes of his performances, it’s amazing to me, first of all the incredible gift of his guitar playing, and second, that I’ve not heard of him till now. To experience his music is to be touched and exposed to a talent and expression that is beyond comprehension. It’s awe inspiring, leaving me with great musical gratification along with a sense of, “how in the world did he do that?” There are so many artists like him that have made an impact on their world with an expression that is obviously ‘God-given’. To have this gift and perform as they do is the initial response of so many, and music and instrument companies benefit greatly from the inspired response of an audience motivated by their favorite performer to get an instrument and learn to play. After all, the masters make it look so easy and effortless; surely it must not be too hard.
There’s an example of a scenario that my mother has often referred to, where an impressed and enthralled observer responded with, “Wow, I’d give anything to play like that!”. To which a reply came from one who knew, “He has.” While there may be a natural flow of wonderful artistic expression that pours more readily out of certain privileged individuals, along with their natural gift there has been a commitment of time, practice and heart to their gift in a way that has altered and defined their life. They became a master, and to the world it would seem that God made them that way, but the gift He had placed in them from birth would never have found its expression and exposure without an established focus on what it would take to develop that gift. For each fulfilled gift and realized potential, there has been a dedication and devotion to whatever it would take in the payment of their very lives to acquire this ability. At some point their motivation to play had become more than just a passing wish, it had become the established ‘center of their lives forever.” You wonder how many dormant talents have been withheld from the world because of so many that might have even gone to Guitar Center and purchased their guitar, but never added the most important element of consistent and heart driven practice.
In each of our hearts has been placed this incredible gift of holiness through Christ. It’s an ability to live in right standing and in the favor of Almighty God. Some might be more naturally given to expressing this holiness in their life based upon their environment and circumstances, but in each of us there is a personalized version of our own heart’s performance that is awaiting but one thing, an established place of worship in our lives. To have a brush with the blessings of God and simply state, “I’d give anything to live like that.”, will never be enough. Until devotion to God occupies the center of our lives, we can never expect a stellar performance or the blessings that follow. The beauty of holiness is not experienced as a result of one simple prayer, it’s the privilege of the one who’s whole life has become a prayer.
It will be seen and observed that this is obviously something God has done in our lives, but this can only take place as His holy place of worship has been established in our hearts forever, and we have truly given anything and everything to owning the ‘free gift’.
