The Master's Touch

            The Community Ash Wednesday Service was scheduled for noon at an Episcopal Church in town. I thought there would be more people there, but the small church was perfect for the 40-50 who came to receive the ashes and begin the season of Lent together.

            As the ashes were placed on each participant’s forehead in the shape of a cross, our thoughts were directed toward Jesus and what He did for us on the cross. Thus begins the 40 day period of self-inspection where we focus on Jesus and what we might need to change about ourselves to be more Christ-like. Some denominations encourage members to give up something that is dear to them and spend more time before the Father, listening.

            A story was told at the service about an auction. Several items had been sold when the auctioneer picked up an old, battered violin. “How much,” he asked, “for this old violin?” The crowd was silent. “Come on now, somebody start and we’ll see where we go,” the man said. Bids came in slowly, one dollar, two dollars, and then three. An old man, bent at the waist and limping slightly, came forward and ran his rough hands over the well-used violin. He placed it under his chin, ran the bow over the strings, and made a few adjustments. He began to play and out flowed the loveliest tune and captured the audience.

            The man laid the violin down and went back to his seat. The auctioneer peered out at the folks and said, “Now what am I offered for this beautiful instrument?” The bids tumbled in quickly, one after the other, and the violin was sold for thousands of dollars.

            What made the difference?  The Master of the bent old man had touched him and given him the ability to free the beautiful music hidden inside the violin. Because the Master saw the potential in the violinist, he was able to see the potential wrapped up in the rough looking instrument.

            Have you been touched by the Master? I don’t believe God has given over the creation of His precious children to a committee. I see Him painstakingly choosing and weaving together all the parts that make up each new baby. When He breathes life into us He breathes potential into us as well.  

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
you formed me in my mother's womb.
I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
before I'd even lived one day.

Psalm 139:14-16  The Message   

Do you know how precious you are to Him? What difference would it make in your life if you realized how valuable you are because you’ve been touched by the Master?

I’d love for you to leave a comment for my readers. What are you thinking after reading this message today?

Praying your day will be joy-filled-

Cathy