Sitting on our patio offers the opportunity to observe a variety of colorful birds flitting about in the trees and to and fro from the bird feeder nearby. I love listening to their distinctive chirps and calls, though I have yet to decipher their language. Each bird is a cheerful masterpiece and a reminder of our Heavenly Father’s awesome creative power.
When is the last time you considered yourself or something you created a masterpiece? How about an enigma? Or both?
Recently, I learned about an English composer named Edward Elgar whose 1899 Enigma Variations portrayed fourteen of his close friends and family in distinctive musical sketches, each identified with the name or initials of the person being characterized. I found it fascinating that a composer used his giftedness to capture the personalities and character traits of those he loved in music, thereby giving them a gift of remembrance and celebration. It delights me to consider that the gifts of those who have gone before, whether we know them personally or not, still carry weight and influence from far away and for a long, long time. That fact should encourage us to use our God-given gifts as well.
Challenge: Sometime this week, please listen to the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra perform Edgar’s Enigmatic Masterpiece. As you watch and/or listen, I challenge you to pay attention to the variety of instruments which blend beautifully the giftedness of each musician, the distinct “personality” of each of the musical sketches, and the exuberance and conscientious connectedness of the conductor to all of the above.
As you pick out the distinct sounds of the tuba, the trumpet, the drums and cymbals, the violin and viola, the flute and the piccolo, and many other instruments, contemplate this: God gives each of us an opportunity to compose a “masterpiece” of some kind — exercising the gifts and the grace He has given us. We each play a distinctive “instrument” in life and have a certain time our “notes” are meant to sound. Our Master Conductor gives the cues.
Like the birds in our backyard, each of us has a melody or a tone which distinguishes us from others — some bright, peppy, playful; others somber and contemplative. All are important, and all are part of His masterpiece.
Which bird or instrument do you most resemble?
How will you use your gifts this week to bring joy to others and point them to the Master?
Father of all Enigmatic Masterpieces,
Please help us find and fulfill the role You have called us to play in Your creation.
Give us the courage to use the gifts You have given us for Your glory and for “All, but Only” the purposes that matter and endure.
Show us how to leave a lasting legacy of Your love.
In the name of the Giver of all good gifts, Amen.
Instead of the Wobbly Warbler this week, I encourage you to listen to:
Edward Elgar’s Enigma Orchestral Masterpiece
