“She sat on the stage of a great concert hall dressed in a flowing, red gown. People of every ethnicity and race surrounded her and each held a musical instrument, some of which were unfamiliar to her.
In her lap reposed a fine violin, its polished wood glowing in the blinding stage lights.
She caressed the beautiful exterior. Was she expected to play music?
Impossible.
Yet as she touched the violin, she felt a mysterious connection with it and everyone in the magnificent room. They all comprised a great orchestra, intended by a master composer to play together in harmony.
Every person seated around her possessed a song deep in his soul. But some didn’t know how to play. Others refused to release their song for fear that if they did, it might shatter and end up in terrible, broken chords. Still others were completely unaware of the music.
The conductor lifted his baton and tapped his stand for attention. She sensed that he knew all the parts—had written them in each musician’s heart. The love for the music and for its players was evident in his face.
The music began, but then went terribly wrong. Some musicians followed the conductor closely and made lovely sounds together. But others played instruments never meant for them or created their own tune that clashed horribly with the real melody. Some abused one another with their instruments or used them for purposes for which they were never intended.
She picked up the violin and placed it under her chin. She had to play her music exactly as the composer had written it on her heart. An orchestra could never play together and produce something of value and beauty unless each one did their part and played the notes written just for each of them.
She touched the bow to the strings. The sensation of something glorious swelled within her heart, begged to be let out. She wanted so badly to play for the composer in whose eyes she’d seen such love and compassion. But she couldn’t seem to find the right tune and realized that if she did, she had no idea how to play it.”
This excerpt is an account of a dream from, “Phyllis Baylor’s Day Off,” (http://www.bubblews.com/news/1795392-phyllis-baylors-day-off-a-short-story) a story I wrote a few years ago about a forty-something woman who longs for something better than the dead-end cashier job she’s been stuck all of her adult life.
God is a god of dreams and visions and unlimited potential. In Proverbs 29:18, the Bible says that without a vision (a dream or a revelation from God), people perish. God created us in His image to be loved by Him and to love Him in return in intimate fellowship and communion. But He also gave us as “gifts to the world.” He sees our potential and eagerly plans for us to use the treasures chests of our lives to bless the world—not for our glory—but for His. And in the process, light, hope and joy come to others.
But our sin creates huge, far reaching complications. The love meant to be shared between God and us and then outward to others, turned inward and became selfishness, greed and arrogance. In some cases, entire nations are plunged into ruin or whole people groups or segments of society are oppressed and bound for centuries. In other cases, misguided conceptions about Father God and what He requires of us have led to abuses and rejection of His good and perfect gifts, even among certain segments of Christianity.
The enemy of our souls wants to either destroy every good and righteous thing or pervert it for his evil use, including our talents and dreams. Some are forbidden to dream. Others don’t know they can dream or are ignorant of their own strengths and potential. Many are held captive by fear or unworthiness or discard dreams and talents for specific things because they are taught those things are wrong or sinful. For some, their greatest goal is just to survive another day. And all too often, we are our own worst enemies when our own foolish choices create unnecessary suffering.
Upcoming blogs will discuss some facets of this issue. I hope in my awkward efforts to lend a helping hand, I can spur someone to discover the beautiful music the Conductor has placed in his or her heart and find the courage to play it for everyone to enjoy.
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