The touch of the Master

I have worked with some outstandingly talented people over the years. Great musicians, amazing artists and proficient writers. But there were also some “little people” around them, those unseen and unnoticed helpers that made it all work ever so smoothly, through their willingness to do the common tasks.

God often uses the most obscure, the smallest, even the “cast aside” elements around us to shine into our lives the most beautiful messages, creating more beauty than otherwise would be found.

          A life need not be great to be beautiful. There may be as much beauty in a tiny flower as in a majestic tree, in a little gem as in a great jewel. A life may be very lovely and yet be insignificant in the world’s eyes. A beautiful life is one that fulfils its mission in this world.

Those with only commonplace gifts may often think that they cannot live a beautiful life–cannot be of much help in this world. But the smallest life that fills its place well is beautiful in God’s sight. Greatness is not found in possessions, power, position or prestige. It is discovered in goodness, humility, service and character.

          The Touch of The Master’s Hand – By Myra Brooks Welch

 

‘Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer

Thought it scarcely worth his while

To spend much time on the old violin,

But he held it up with a smile.

“What am I bidden for this?” he cried.

“Who’ll start the bidding for me?

A dollar–one dollar; then two–only two:

Two dollars are bidden; say three.

“Three dollars once: Three dollars twice:

Going for three!” But lo!

From the back of the crowd a gray-haired man

Came forward and picked up the bow.

Then, wiping the dust from the old violin

And tight’ning the loosened strings,

He played a melody passing sweet,

The kind that haunts and clings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer,

With a voice that was soft and low,

Said, “Now what is bid for the old violin?”

And he held it up with the bow.

“A thousand dollars: Who’ll make it two?

Two–two thousand; say three!

Three thousand once, three thousand twice,

Three thousand–gone!” said he.

The people cheered, but some exclaimed,

“We do not quite understand

What changed its worth?” and the answer came:

“‘Twas the touch of the master’s hand.”

And many a man with soul out of tune,

And battered and scarred by sin,

Is auctioned cheap by the thoughtless crowd,

Just like the old violin.

But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd

Never can quite understand

The worth of a soul, and the change that is wrought

By the touch of the Master’s hand.

O Master! I am the tuneless one:

Lay, lay Thy hand on me.

Transform me now, put a song in my heart

Of melody, Lord, to Thee!

* * *

The great composer, George Frideric Handel had lost his health. His right side was paralyzed. His money was gone. His creditors threatened to imprison him. Handel became so disheartened by his tragic experiences that he almost lost faith and despaired. He came through the ordeal, however, and composed his greatest work, “The Hallelujah Chorus”, the climactic point of his great “Messiah.”