Thursday, November 23, 2023

day no. 16,467: the master touch

"If the Holy Spirit speaks in the man, then in prayer God speaks to God."  C.S. Lewis, Letters to Malcolm

A skilled master playing on the finest instrument is a match made in Heaven. Sometimes, however, a master reveals his genius by taking up a plastic toy instrument and making it sing. Because of his skill and expertise, he can draw beauty and majesty out of it and because of its meager make up, no one would have expected it. Thus, the Master demonstrates His majesty in bringing transcendence to the immanent. He make the humdrum hum with melody. He takes the plain and momentarily promotes it to the proper. In His hands, the dull becomes dynamic. The master is not demoted for taking up the toy, the toy is promoted. The plastic piano is raised to the level and dignity of a real instrument when moved by a Master. The common is sanctified for holy purposes as the Master flexes His skill.

And so it is when God picks us up to pray. He draws us up to greater dignity and draws more attention to His divinity in doing so. He makes a party favor a prize.

Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

God is not less impressive for picking up a crude implement, but more impressive. The fact that He can build a straight cathedral using a bent trowel is to His credit. He shows off His majesty in making much of what no one expected much.

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