MOMENTS OF GRACE
On January 12 the Washington Post conducted an experiment: What would happen if a world-class performed elegant classical music on a priceless instrument in the Metro station of the major American city?
The city was Washington DC. The musician was Joshua Bell, who can earn upwards of $50,000 for an average evening's performance. The instrument was a 300-year-old Stradivarius valued at $3.5 million. The music included the works of Bach and other masters. The experiment was captured on hidden camera. So, what happened? How did people respond?
During Mr. Bell's 45-minute performance, 1097 people passed by. 27 dropped spare change into his open violin case, for a total of $35. And seven of them stopped what they were doing to listen for at least 1 minute. The other 1070 people hurried past, oblivious, uninterested, unmoved.
Before we criticize others for missing out on the beauty of God's world, we must ask ourselves: how many times a day does something like this happen to you or me? How many times do we encounter truth, beauty, and excellence, without giving it a second look? How many messages of hope do we ignore? How many demonstrations of grace do we disregard? How many divine appointments do we overlook? How many times a day do we miss God's presence and blessings upon our lives? Simply because we are not paying attention!
The prophet Ezra wrote these words: "But now for a brief moment grace has been shown us from the Lord our God, leaving us a remnant and to give us a firm place in His holy place, and so the Lord God gives life to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage." (Ezra 9:8)
Let's make an effort to recognize – and fully experience and appreciate – those brief moments of grace God sends our way. There will be a least a few today. Will you see them? Or will you walk right past them and be unaware? Be sure you are looking and listening for the moment grace in your life. Perhaps a good prayer for us each morning is: "God, help me to be aware of Your presence as I go through this day. Tell me to pay attention for You."
Peace be with you.
Jeff