|
| Where Matters |
|
| |
You may have heard about when the virtuoso played in the subway, no one cared to hear. Joshua Bell is more than just a virtuoso.. he’s considered one of the greatest talents alive. He plays to sold out concert halls all around the country. Oh, and his violin is worth $3.5 million. But when it came to playing at the subway, few knew who he was or cared to listen. Some did show their appreciation with a few bucks. But if this virtuoso was playing to share his talent and awe-inspiring music with listeners, boy did he fail. Or did the busy crowds just completely miss this “gift”? What was normally cherished and sometimes even considered priceless when heard in a concert hall was reduced to just another element to avoid on that busy weekday in the subway. It’s more and more obvious to me that the “Where” matters just as much as the “What”, or with “Who”. In my own personal walk, I’ve been allowing my laziness and circumstances to dictate the “Where” and how I spend time with God. For me, my surroundings set the tone and ability to hear His song. I’m rushing to finish my morning chores and speeding through emails and requests. Trying to spend time with God in the subway just isn’t the right “Where” for me. Maybe you are different. I know many who can spend time with God whenever and wherever they are. Perhaps this is a gift I can receive later on. But for now, I’m not going to let the busyness of life be an excuse to miss out on God’s music. I hope you don't as well :)
|
|
| To add a comment to "Where Matters" |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| September 18, 2007 |
 |
|
|
Thought-provoking blog, Carol! If no one appreciates the virtuoso, is he still a virtuoso? What if we are living our life playing in in the subway, and there's a whole world somewhere above ground where our gifts could be thriving? |
|
|
| September 18, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Kathy, you bring up an excellent side point. Our connections to one another matter greatly. And I think the listener listening to the musician definitely plays a part in his talent. |
|
|
| September 18, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Amen. Strong points all. Thanks for sharing. |
|
|
| September 18, 2007 |
|
|
|
MAN, I wish I was riding that subway!!!! Hey, I know talent when I hear it! One time a panhandler nearly brought me to tears on a NY subway as he sang O Holy Night for $. That guy had a voice!
ps... I majored in Geography in college, and have a MS in a related field. I know the importance of where! :-) |
|
|
| September 18, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Such a sobering story. I am such a people person I honestly have no problem sharing the love of Christ, but I do sometimes find it difficult setting aside time to partake of his love for myself. This is a great reminder as I've been pulling balance to the top spot on my priority list. If we fail to plan - we plan to fail.... a phrase that has changed my life. I will definitely pray for you - would you pray for me too? |
|
|
| September 19, 2007 |
|
|
|
I get what you are saying, I often find the only time I really pray is during my 45 minute drive to work and again on the way home. I need to find a less stressful time to spend in communion with my Father. Although it is nice to start the morning praising God even in the traffic. I think it helps me not become frustrated that I am moving 5mph on a highway. Thanks for the reminder to take deliberate time with Him.
peace |
|
|
| September 19, 2007 |
|
|
|
My drive time is also some of my favorite "God time", but I only travel once or twice a week. On the plus side, there is no traffic on Montana highways, so getting frustrated with going too slowly, etc. doesn't play into it. The only time I get tense is if I'm driving in a really bad snowstorm, and that just increases my prayer life! :-) I will be praying for you, Carol, that God will lead you to the perfect niche of time that the two of you can spend together. My early morning times with Him are so important to me, and if I get to spend another chunk of time with Him on my walks or in the afternoon, it feels like the icing on the cake. |
|
|
| September 19, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Very interesting blog! |
|
|
| September 20, 2007 |
|
|
|
| wow, carol ... really love what you wrote here ... busyness is something i've become very familiar with lately ... nieces/nephew, family events, work and office moving, church commitments, ... can easily become "living in autopilot" ... i agree with what you say here about needing solid, uninterrupted quiet time with the Lord ... at the same time, i think it's as important to learn not only how to hear but also how to recognize "His song" throughout our day ... living intentionally moment-to-moment with an awareness of His majestic presence, or shall we say "music", in our lives ... of course, i struggle identifying His voice in the subway much more than in stillness ... so i'm with ya', girl ... so glad you and the hubby are settling in well ... blessings!! |
|
|
| September 20, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Wow, carebear, that was just an awesome blog. Givin you a big star for that. That's one of them blogs that just makes ya sit and thinka while. No more just prayin on the john for me, I gotta start makin special time for God again. |
|
|
| September 24, 2007 |
|
|
|
Thanks for the message i could say i need to alow God to improve in that area of my walk.Thanks for bringin it to our attention........ |
|
|
| November 01, 2007 |
|
|
|
Another awesome blog! How am I missing so many? Hmmmmm...
Perhaps I see Carol in the subway too passing out pamplets with her thoughts but, I too, am just a tad too busy to catch the blessing she is freely offering.
God has an endless supply of blessings that He wants to bless us with. Perhaps not directly from He Himself but through others. I would hate to know just how many blessings I have personally missed. But I too know where I need to focus more quality time.
Being BUSY is part of the 21st century. Definately appears to be a lot more BUSY than last century. An evangelist friend of mine from Texas, Mary Hughes, once preached a message about how being BUSY was really Being Under Satan's Yoke. Gotta be careful you don't miss the blessings by being distracted by that sly serpant sucking dust on the ground. Don't spend your time sucking dust either.
And remember, some dust can actually look, smell, feel, sound and taste pretty good too. But it is poison that keeps you from the true blessings from God. Check your bearings every now and then by spending that quality time with Him. And the more you do, the more time you will want to spend with Him. It's all part of the Plan. After all, he wants you to eventually spend ALL of your time in His presence. Eternity. That is a blessing I would not want anybody to miss.
Dave |
|
|
Follow this blog
