Mom's Gift

 

Did you know that music is not considered a spiritual gift in scripture?

Clearly, music is important, as it is mentioned hundreds of times throughout the Bible.

But music is not directly considered a spiritual gift. 

As a musician, I find this interesting. 

And yet I understand it.

It seems that In the Bible the emphasis on music is less on the talent itself and more on how the talent serves God and community.

Musical ability, then, is treated as a capacity to be used for worship, teaching, encouragement, and ministry.

 

My mom is a perfect example of this.

She is an excellent musician, and she hones her craft every day.

Whether she’s playing for fun, or whether she’s playing to work out a song for Sunday morning, my mom plays the piano almost every day, even if it’s late at night.

She sees her music as a ministry,

As a means of encouragement,

As a way to draw people into worship,

As a way to tell stories of old.

 

Yesterday, my mom led worship at her church.

As she prepared for the concert, she prayed about songs that would uplift and speak to people’s souls.

She thought of the words that went along with the melodies,

She thought of the movement of the music,

She thought of the need to have a brain break in the middle of the concert,

And she was very conscious of time, of not doing too much or too little, but of playing just the right amount.

She wanted her music to be her sermon. 

She wanted her music to speak the word of God. 

 

And it did. 

 

But it wasn’t the music that did it. 

It was the spirit behind the music, 

The something that goes beyond talent, 

The heart of worship and service that drives everything mom does. 

 

So whatever talent you have. 

Whatever gift, 

Whether named in scripture or not, 

Use it and develop it as a way of honoring the Giver of All, 

In service and in love. 

 

Amen.