“As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.’” John 9:1-3
Marie and I were blessed last night to attend the Cleveland Orchestra’s Chopin and Rachmaninoff Concert at Severance Hall. The highlight of the evening for me was the performance by Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, who performed Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2, in F minor, Op. 21. The Third Movement: Allegro Vivace held my attention as the hands of Tsujii, who was born blind, raced across the keys of the piano. When he finished, and as the conductor escorted him to a fro for several ovations, the words of John 9 kept coming to me.
I cannot say that. Tsujii was born blind so the works of God might be displayed in him, but nonetheless, the works of God were displayed. Music, beauty, passion, and technical proficiency, along with the indomitable human spirit, were in evidence. I am sighted and can hardly play Jingle Bells, and here this man was playing this highly complex piece of music along with an orchestra, without the aid of sheet music or sight.
Often we sell ourselves too short in our estimation of what we can do because we sell God too short in our estimation of what He can do in and with us. We are truly grateful to you, for I am “fearfully and wonderfully made.1”
How then are we to give glory to God today and show his works today?
Prayer: Lord God, can I attain the heights for which you have made me? Can I give you the glory you rightly deserve and display your works before others to bring you honor? I cannot, but with you all things are possible. Let it be with me according to your will. May I follow where you lead, trusting in you always, as did our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray. Amen.