Out of Reach

by Macy Johnson

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”

(2 Peter 1:3 NIV)

My church’s Prime Timers’ activities' director called: “Would you please present a musical program for our meeting next month?”

I arrived on the day of the performance with repertoire in hand. Rather than set up my own instrument and portable speakers, I resolved to play the Praise Team’s keyboard in the fellowship hall. I heard God say, “Watch out - it’s time to learn another lesson!”

The keyboard had several troubling issues:

-      The black-and-white keys were not “touch sensitive” – volume control through my fingers was impossible.

-      The sustain pedal inched away on the slippery stage as I patted it with my right foot.

-      The music stand, its base a makeshift anchor for the sustain pedal, wobbled away as I tapped the pedal. I clumsily reached to turn music pages as the stand slid beyond my grasp.

-      The stool I perched on scooted backward as I pushed the pedal forward with my right foot. I was forced to balance precariously on my left leg.

-      The keyboard lacked a monitor speaker at my feet; I could only hear music through the overhead speakers.

Several times between musical selections I rose from the keyboard to readjust the wayward sustain pedal. It was a comedy-act concert, a humbling situation with many lessons learned.

As I get older, like that sustain pedal, my thoughts try to slip away from God. My poverty presents itself clearly in every situation I face. I am thankful our heavenly Father is not surprised at our insufficiencies - He is not out of reach!

I will grasp and hold on to Jesus and His loving power today. I hope you will, too!