My New Guitar

Exodus 36:1 – Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the Lord has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded. (ESV)

Recently, I passed by a music shop, and saw a left-handed guitar on display. New left-handed guitars are comparatively rare, so I wandered in and played it. Later on, I bought it, along with an acoustic pick-up.

With some drilling and gluing, I adapted the guitar to accommodate the electrics inside, together with new parts for the lead. Then I sat down to tune the guitar, and found, to my dismay, that it was still not right. However, the guitar had a good tone, so, rather than take the guitar back, I set about modifying the bridge.

It was at this point, with the guitar in pieces on the kitchen work surface, that I began to question the wisdom of what I was doing — chiselling out a hole in the new guitar. Angels, fools, and fearing-to-tread came to mind — as well as my wife's wrath!

I had assumed, after prayer and discussion with Caroline, that it was the will of God, as well as mine, to buy the guitar, so it was at this point that I began to wonder why all this work was necessary on a new guitar.

Something inside told me not to worry. Instead, I should recognize that I had been given the skills to take this guitar and refine it to become something better, and of increased value, because of its greater capability to make a joyful noise.

This thought bubbled to the surface of my consciousness: Jesus has paid the price for us Christians in full. He has already commenced the work of modifying our original flawed creation into His harmonious instruments of praise, through the work of His Holy Spirit dwelling within us.

In the Body of Christ, some successes are blatant miracles; others, disguised in the practical gifts used daily, are still due to God working to breathe life into His Body here on earth.

Ephesians 4:4-7 – There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. (ESV)

Prayer: Lord, forgive us our failings, open our eyes to see, and renew our aspirations for Your power at work within us today. We rejoice in Your gift of life granted to us, sufficient for the day, accompanied by the skills and wisdom to fulfil what we have been called to do. Lead us on into a greater perception of what it means for each of us to be Your hands and feet here on earth, day by day. Amen.

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