Our son Jack has been taking guitar lessons for three years. We've been with his current teacher, JRod, for about a year. Jack has been working towards youth worship band auditions at church. JRod is the former youth worship band pastor so he's got great insight. Not only is he an extraordinary musician, he understands the heart of worship. God has gifted him with a passion and ability to lead the next generation in worship and musical excellence. That's a little bit about him, now let me tell you about Jack.
He made the worship band and absolutely loves it. It's his thing and we're so excited he's found 'his thing'. Since making the band Jack has been eyeing new electric guitars. The one he has is a starter. He's been earning money mowing lawns, pulling weeds, etc. for our neighbors. He's saved up enough to pay for half of a pretty nice instrument. JRod builds guitars and sells them to professional musicians. There is one guitar in particular that Jack has admired in JRod's studio. It is a replica of his instructors vintage Stratocaster...the kind of guitar that even makes this novice's jaw drop.
Jack has really no hope of getting this superior piece of craftsmanship because it's way out of his price range. So he just admires it from afar. To put it into my terms...this is a Louis Vuitton purse to one you buy off the rack at Target. There's nothing wrong with the Target variety, but oh to have Louis. But I digress....
A few months back Jack decided just for fun to make an imitation electric guitar (actual size) for his teacher. He made it from sheet metal with a plywood base for stability. He measured it out. He used some sort of jig-saw (did you know they make different kinds of saws???) and metal cutters to shape the instrument. Then he collected various parts from the hardware store and our garage to create the pegs, control knobs and pick-ups found on electric guitars. It was really quite impressive.
All this time that Jack's been working hard to earn money and working hard on this gift, Chris has been talking with JRod about what kind of guitar Jack should get. Chris even asked about this custom guitar in his shop but, not surprisingly, it was four times Jack's budget. However, after thinking on it and praying about it, the teacher texted Chris and said he felt God wanted him to give this guitar to Jack at the price Jack could afford. What?!
Chris and I were completely overwhelmed. Why would he do this? This custom guitar had cost the teacher hours upon hours of time not to mention financial expense and emotional investment. How could he part with it for such a low price? This is the answer he gave. "I've had several people express interest in buying this guitar but I haven't been ready to give it up. I've seen Jack's heart and I think he deserves this guitar. I know he will invest himself in it for God's glory. Jack's the man I'm supposed to give this to."
So Chris came up with a plan to surprise Jack. Jack's work of art was ready to be presented to JRod. We drove over last night to give it to him. JRod didn't know about Jack's gift...and Jack didn't know about the surprise that awaited him. You should have seen JRod's reaction upon receiving this imitation guitar. He treated it like priceless art. He spent time looking at how Jack made it, the shape, the strings, etc. His beautiful wife was there and she expressed great appreciation for the time it must have taken Jack to make it. They talked about where they would hang it in the teacher's studio. You could say their reaction was worth more than the guitar Jack had built but they saw it for what it was - an expression of thanks for an admired mentor.
After this JRod said, "Hey Jack, did I tell you I sold my Sunburst? Yeah, I sold it to a kid I teach. He loves the guitar and I decided I would only part with it if I knew it were going to someone who would use it for God's glory. That's why the kid I sold it to...is you." (I'm crying again now just thinking about it.)
Are you trying to guess Jack's reaction? Did he jump up and down? Did he say, "Get out of here!" Did he burst into tears? How do you respond to such a great gift? Jack had spent a few hours working on an imitation. It was cool but it wasn't the real thing. The teacher had spent countless hours, sweat, energy, and love on this authentic guitar. Jack was speechless. Tears welled in his eyes. He was amazed. The once admired piece of work in the master's studio now belonged to him. He didn't have to look at it hanging on a wall and wonder what it would feel like to play. He held it. He played it. Now it would hang on his own wall and he could play it any time he wanted.
There are so many beautiful illustrations in this story but it boils down to this. When we bring our offering of worship and admiration (the imitation guitar) to the Master, He loves it. He knows our limitations and weaknesses but he knows our heart too. He knows our motive is love and admiration.
What happens when we give all we have to God? He meets us right there with His overwhelming greatness. He pours out healing and blessing and meets the deepest need of our heart. God's gift of Himself is the real deal. He's poured His energy, sweat, and blood out for us. We don't have to admire this gift from afar. Draw near to the Master today and experience Him for all He's worth.
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