I sometimes look at it from the perspective of a grain of
sand, in a brick, somewhere in the structure of the great Pyramids of
Egypt. We all recognize that any single
grain of sand could easily be replaced and no-one would notice when looking at
the grand scheme of things. I am sure
the wind itself moves many grains of sand all the time, with little care or
concern on our part. But even so, if we
eliminated all grains of sand, our brick would no longer exist, and if this
pattern continued, we would note the total decay of the structure – it would
exist no more. Though the Pyramid is
huge, it depends on the function of the tiniest grain of sand to exist.
Then I consider impacts on my faith. A nothing boy with an interest in southern
spiritual music; he comes from a nothing town in Indiana. No one knows his name except a girlfriend
with a small gift for prose and an ability to return his affections. They begin a life together, raise a family,
and stay true to their system of beliefs.
Two small grains of sand blown by the same winds of fate that affect us
all. So how do they impact my faith? His interest and her talent join, and
spiritual music begins to evolve from 19th century hymns into
‘popular’ tunes that begin to gain in notoriety. A new trend in gospel music is born. Together with sixties folk artists who turn
their lives over to Christ, ‘modern’ Christian music emerges. An album entitled Alleluia is completed and
for the first time ever sells more than a million copies. Christian record companies are launched and a
whole cadre of artists begin to emerge.
Now today, names like Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, and Switchfoot become
known far and wide – owing their ability to do so, to a nothing boy from
Indiana – who lives and becomes Bill Gaither.
But Bill and Gloria influence more than just an entire
system of music, a nothing boy born in LA and raised in Kentucky, grows
up. Nobody knows his name, except a few close
friends, and a family he belongs to. He
writes music too, inspired by what he has heard, and what he enjoys. He raises a family, and tries to stay true to
his system of beliefs. It is not the
same stellar success story that results in the creation of a new form of
music. It is more of an everyday story
of one man’s influence on a small number of people. His family, those he works with, those he
teaches in church, those he hangs out with – a small number of people – blown
about by the winds of fate that affect us all.
But his faith is impacted, and enriched, and made better, more complete
by two people he has never even met. The
impact of Bill and Gloria becomes personal in the life of a single person. It is not just the ‘mass’ of people who respond
favorably to what they hear and buy more CD’s as a result. It is the single individual whose faith is
enriched, and who in turn tries to share that faith with others. That you are reading this blog is in part due
to the faithfulness of a young couple from Indiana.
I think we spend our lives sometimes wondering if the
example we try to set, and the faith we try to live by will ever reach a
thirsty world. Life as a grain of sand,
seems hardly consequential after all.
But sometimes the unseen is greater than what is visible. Till now of course, that couple from Indiana
has NO idea they affected my faith. They
do not know my name. They have not heard
me play the music I have written for the Lord.
Nor have they been to my church when I played a video of their
music. They have not heard our
congregation sing one of their songs.
They don’t read my blog, or even know the people in my sphere of
influence even exist, and they probably never will. Their impact on me will go unnoticed by
them. But it is SO real
none-the-less. One grain of sand,
influencing another, and another, and before you know it – an entire structure
exists.
We don’t need to become Joel Osteen, Ellen White, or Billy
Graham to make a difference in our world.
It is OK to be simply a cog in the wheel. It is OK and important to teach that class
every week, or perhaps run the sound system, pick up the offering, or maybe
just sit in the pew. A real conversation
with a hurting co-worker about where you turn for comfort might be of more
value to that person, than all the sermons ever preached from the dawn of time
till now. The genuine acceptance of
those people steeped in sin, and the love shown to them, in spite of their
condition will do more to exemplify Christ than any words or music will ever
say.
Our heroes all have flaws.
The couple whose music changed our world forever, and so personally
impacted my life struggle everyday with sin, temptation, the inclination to
choose evil, and the pressures of the world.
Our heroes of faith are not ever perfect. What distinguishes Joel Osteen, Ellen White,
Billy Graham, and the Gaither’s is their willingness to be used for His
glory. It is also the reason why Noah,
Abraham, Moses and David were used in times long ago. It is the same God we serve with the same
goals from Noah to Bill. Our God looks
throughout the world for anyone willing to be used. Anyone willing to serve. And the glory rests with the Master, not with
the servant. I thank Bill and Gloria for
their willingness, but I praise God for the talent he reflected through
them. The words they wrote, did not
originate in them but flowed through them, inspired by the source of all
love. While penning the lyrics “the King
is coming”, this was not merely a catchy hook for a powerful tune, it was a
declarative from a loving God about His soon coming plans. That was our God speaking through the lyrics
they wrote. How could they even begin to
know how far these words would echo.
So many stories of grains of sand, intertwined, interlinked,
crossing over each other, sometimes without any knowledge of the journey. We are small.
But we are part of a composite.
We make up something that is of more value than the pieces. We are the bride of Christ, His church, His
beloved. We are loved though unworthy,
saved though undeserving, and made righteous though we hardly believe it is
possible. It is good to be cog in the
wheel of the Lord…
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