I Chose to Look Around and Be Amazed

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us: to Him be the glory…” Ephesians 3:20:21a NKJV

If you’ve known me for very long you have probably heard me refer to Ephesians 3. It’s a portion of the Bible that captured me a very long time ago, when I was just a kid. What captured me was God’s vastness and yet His ability to be personal.  I’ve probably read the verses quoted above in every possible translation.  I love the idea presented in them. God is more, much more than I can even imagine. These verses are only the tip of the iceberg as they say. This particular prayer starts in verse 14 but there are many other references to God’s unlimitedness in the Bible. I could go on and on. But today, when I was being quiet this morning I was questioning whether I, personally, live in this knowledge each and every day. Then a couple of hours later I landed here:

This may not look like much to you, especially in this day of electronic keyboards and digital music but I love this piano. As I began to practice some music for an event we are doing tomorrow night I realized I was looking at a tangible picture of God’s amazing creativity in my life. First, to have this piano is a total miracle/blessing. I had given my childhood piano up when it would no longer hold a tune. I owned a keyboard but never totally got used to the difference in sound. Music is totally subjective you know. We all like what we like and I like the sound of a Yamaha piano. When we were in one of our lowest spots in our life I began to crave private time at a piano. My husband agreed that I could look for one but we really didn’t have excess money at the time to be spending on things that weren’t completely necessary. Well not only did God help me stumble onto a piano, but a Yamaha piano and at a bargain price.

Then as I played I realized I was playing from music given to me at church from a pastor’s wife who challenged me to not depend on written out music all the time but to use chords. I had NEVER done that. I have had years of lessons. I love music but I had to learn it. I was surrounded by gifted musicians my whole life. My brother plays guitar by ear. My best friends since childhood have all been very musical. Some teach music now, some are in bands, well you get the picture. I always had to have full music AND practice it before I could play for anything. There was a need at a church we went to years ago and they really didn’t use printed music. The pastor and his wife were both gifted musicians and could just “do it.” However they needed someone to play when they were not available. Our amazing God put me there. Now looking at that picture, I know you can’t see it but there is a lead line on the far left, a chord chart on the right hand page and more chord charts + an order of service on the I-Pad. I am so humbled and amazed that God would use His creative ability to enable me to assist my husband in leading an event with music. If you would have asked me 20 years ago I probably would have turned you down. I definitely would not have done it without full written out music and much practice.

Sometimes we just need to be more aware of what is really going on in our lives. It’s a shame that we get so busy living that we miss God right in the midst of our life. Today I choose to watch for Him and celebrate His presence. How about you? What do you see when you look around?