I Wish I Could Play Like a Concert Pianist
Friday, July 22, 2011 at 4:32AM Have you ever felt there was more available from faith than you’ve discovered? Think about it. Verses like, “Greater works will you do than what Jesus did.” Really? Is that what you expect from God?
Maybe that’s not a fair question. But wouldn’t you like to do greater works than Jesus?
I would. At least I think I would.
It reminds me of a conversation I had with a young man whose life purpose was to be a concert pianist. He practiced hours a day. I remember saying to him, “I wish I could play like you.” A little annoyed, he said, “No you don’t. If you wanted to play like me, you would be willing to practice, like me, for hours a day. You just want the privilege without the work.”
And we all knew that was true.
Jesus' spoke about authority and power and influence. He prayed that his followers will be so full of the Presence and Power of the Spirit of God, they will be able to do even greater things than Jesus. And my heart says, "Ya, bring it on."
So why don't people line up outside our church doors so that they can receive prayer for healing?
I’m not sure how much I’ve changed since the days of talking to that budding concert pianist. I don’t really want to put in the work required to be a concert pianist.
I wonder if I approach my relationship to faith in the same way? Do I want the thrill of the power and authority of God in me, without any of the responsibility?
Verses comes to mind from the Beatitudes
Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
I’m one of those guys you might label as a bit of a couch potato. We’re into what Bill Johnson calls "convenient hunger." When we’re watching the hockey playoffs. Someone says, “I’m hungry.” - It’s a trigger. Like Pavlov's drooling dogs. Suddenly we’re all hungry.
“Yea, me too. Honey, go get us some chips okay?”
Our wives may or may not say this but they’re thinking, “Why don’t you get them?”
“Come on honey. Just get us something. Anything. And while you’re at it, can you bring us something to drink.”
“I mean the fridge is way over there.”
The reality is, we don’t want to get up and walk all that way, the whole 30 feet to get ourselves some food. It’s not really hunger. It is convenient hunger.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Study the Gospel of John and discover how Jesus did the works he did because he knew what his Father was doing in heaven. Jesus said the words he said because he heard what his Father was saying in heaven. Jesus did nothing of his own initiative. He only acted upon what his Father directed him to do. He repeats that theme 6 times in the Gospel of John.
Why am I laboring this point? Because we need to ask ourselves how badly we really want a vibrant faith, intimacy with God, confidence in our inner being, credibility with others. How badly do we want to live and act as Jesus?
When you know our God, you get courage. When you know our God, you get ideas. When you know our God, you begin to dream again of things that he is showing you. He will show you what you can do in your workplace to encourage the people around you. He will show you how you can bring life back into your marriage. He will show you how to live more healthy and give you the discipline to do it. It all comes from him and you cannot get it through somebody else. It comes when you sit down with Jesus and say, “Okay, I’m here to listen. I’m here to see what you’re up to. I want to know what is going on in heaven and I want to be part of it on earth.”
If you are ready to spend time with God. If you are ready to step out from relying on others to answer your questions about God. If you are ready to listen to what he is saying, knowing that he has words for you, then I would invite you to pray this prayer with me.
"God of heaven, enable us to know fully what you want. Release your great wisdom and understanding in spiritual things so that we will live the kind of life that honours and pleases you in every way. Produce in us a character that makes our every effort good and grow us in the knowledge of you.
God strengthen us with your own great power so that we will not give up when troubles come. Define us with your patience. 12 Enable us to joyfully give thanks to you our Creator, who has made us capable of sharing in all that you have prepared for us. Distinguish us as your people, citizens of your kingdom that penetrates society with your light. Thank you for freeing us from the power of darkness, and bringing us into the kingdom of your dear Son in whom we have forgiveness."
Colossians 1:9-14 New Century Version (NCV)
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