March 29, 2022 (Tuesday)
Pre-Easter Theme: What Jesus Taught Us
Theme for this week: We Can Love God
People such as I, who know nothing about violins, have heard of the legendary Stradivarius violins, which were created by the Stradivari family, Antonio Stradivari being the most famous. The cheapest Stradivarius that was ever sold cost around quarter of a million dollars.
In our exuberance we possibly will say that God gave us Stradivarius violins. But I recall a line from a movie worthy of our attention: “Not even God can make a Stradivarius without Stradivari.” In fairness we need to know that violins by other makers are dearly loved by some professional violinists. Yet the same idea prevails. God does not make violins by performing miracles of manufacturing. He makes beautiful and meaningful earthly objects through human beings with names like Tony, Bob and Mary.
It should not surprise us, then, that God loves the world through His children. We are children of God by Grace through Faith, and we praise God for that. We also praise Him that He allows us to be part of the process of His loving people. God the Father loved the world through Jesus on the Cross and at the door of the empty tomb, and He continues to love the people of this world through His children.
“Love” is only an idea until it does something, and that “something” is done by children of God, like you and me. I remember very well coming to this realization as our daughter was being laid to rest, saying to Wanda “God is here with us in all these people who are grieving with us here today.” It was like a new and fresh revelation in that moment, although I’m sure I had known it all my life.
God blesses us in countless ways through the people He has put into our life. I praise God for His love, revealed to me through other people.
Here’s a story you may like. It’s about a boy and his Sunday School teacher. It was a snowy day, and this boy, Tim, was in a snowball fight with his chums, all in fun, when he saw his teacher walking by. Hiding himself, he through a snowball at his teacher, hitting him in the head and knocking off his hat. A few days later, The boy’s father had a visitor–his teacher, who said to his father, “You know, Tim is a regular in my class, and I know he likes to fish, so in appreciation for his faithful attendance, I’d like to give him this new rod and reel.” The next Sunday, the lesson was about the grace of God, and the teacher asked the class, “What is grace?” Tim spoke up and said, “A rod and reel!”
God often speaks to us and helps us through others. We can do the same for someone else.
Words: Adelaide A. Pollard
Music: George C. Stebbins
1907
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.