TheDiscipleMD

A few years ago, in a church meeting, the congregation was treated to one of the most beautiful vocal solos I have heard. The brother singing was a professional, and I was inspired by the song he sang. While listening, I was taken back thirty-plus years to another solo that inspired me. As a family, we were attending a baptismal service, where an older gentleman gave a solo performance that was unforgettable because he sang so off-key.

But something happened between the beginning of his performance and the end. He sang all the verses badly. At first, I was taken aback and couldn’t resist smiling. I watched this brother sing with the greatest of enthusiasm. He was singing loud and with a smile on his face.  As he headed into the second verse, I noticed that he showed no shame for his bad singing voice. Soon, the mood changed in my heart. I could see this brother giving all he could to render his “gift.”  I have heard a lot of musical numbers in church services. And althought many have been beautiful, almost all of them I have forgotten. Their effect on my life was short lived. But this musical number has stayed with me through the years. I don’t remember the name of the brother who sang that day nor do I remember the hymn he sang. But I do remember the spirit in which he sang it. By the end of the number my eyes were moist and I came to understand that it wasn’t the beauty of the melody that moved me, it was the beauty of the giver.

Sometimes, we must be reminded, that the “heart” is the key to saintly service. So, perhaps the gifts given by us, or others, are not always the most beautifully packaged. But it’s the “heart” behind the gift that matters most.

“And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their adundance but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” (Mark 12:41-44)

As it turned out, the worst solo performance I had ever heard had the most significant impact for good on my soul and taught me one of the most important lessons in life.