[Jesus said to His disciples] “Before long, the world will not see Me anymore, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize I am in my Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you” (John 14:19,20 NIV).
Great men know how to seize the moment of opportunity. In fact they usually make opportunities which others do not see. Perhaps there is some secret all of us need to understand! In this lesson we shall consider the power of mutuality. We must see how God in wisdom has designed our cooperation into His plan. We shall see that it is… not you … nor I … but we.
Illustration: The special evening had finally come. For days a mother had looked forward to the time she and her young son could attend a Paderewski concert. They were about to be seated when the mother spotted an old friend and walked down the aisle to greet her.
Seizing the opportunity to discover the wonders of the concert hall, the little son rose and eventually explored his way through a door marked “no admittance.” As the house lights dimmed signaling the concert’s beginning, the mother returned to her seat only to discover that her child was missing.
Suddenly, the stage curtains parted revealing the impressive Steinway piano on which spotlights were focused. And then … she saw him! Sitting at the keyboard was her little son, innocently picking out “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”
At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy’s ear, “Don’t quit; keep on playing.” Then leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in the bass notes. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato.
Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been an awkward situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was so mesmerized that by the end of the concert, they couldn’t recall what else the great master played, except for the classic “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”
Perhaps that’s the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren’t always graceful, flowing music. Thus, we learn the divine secret of mutuality. In that final hour when the Great Concert of Life will be concluded, we can happily announce it was not me, nor was it Him alone, but it was we … God and I–together! With His hands enfolding mine and His arms surrounding mine, we can present the masterpiece of Life for all the world to behold.
Mutuality! Not I … nor Him … but we! It has become the focus of all my efforts. The early church fathers were so right when they announced, “The chief end of man is to glorify God (by) enjoying Him forever.” It works like this–when God is honored, then I will also enjoy honor with Him. When He is fully satisfied, then I will also be satisfied. Yes, there is a mutual glory yet to unfold!
Have you heard Someone whispering in your ear, “Don’t quit; keep playing. I don’t call the equipped, but I equip the ‘called’.”
Ponder this principle: Life is more accurately measured by the lives you have deeply touched … than by the things you have acquired or the goals you have achieved.
We pray: “Father, I want to recognize You as the One who invites us to participate in Your Ultimate Intention. I want to be submissive–willing and always joyfully anticipating the unveiling of Your final masterpiece. I can hardly wait for that day when all creation will bow and acknowledge You are worthy. Then with one gesture You will point to Your Lovely Son … and sons, to announce, “The whole world is filled of His glory.”
DeVern Fromke. Lord, Help Us to Recognize Each Door of Opportunity. (Sharper Focus, 2007). Copyright Sharper Focus; used with permission. Books by this author are available be ordered from www.Fromke.com.
[Biblical allusions: 1 Cor. 3:9, 1:26; John 12:26; Isaiah 6:3.]
[The Westminster Shorter Catechism: Q. 1. What is the chief end of man? A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, [a] and to enjoy him for ever. [b] [a]. Ps. 86:9; Isa. 60:21; Rom. 11:36; I Cor. 6:20; 10:31; Rev. 4:11 [b]. Ps. 16:5-11; 144:15; Isa. 12:2; Luke 2:10; Phil. 4:4; Rev. 21:3-4. -JBW]