Chopsticks

Years ago, pianist and composer, Ignacio Paderewski, was preparing to perform a concert. While the audience was arriving and settling in for the performance, a young boy, unbeknownst to his mother, disappeared down the aisle and walked up towards the stage. He was fascinated by the piano. I can picture it now; spotlights are shining down on the beautiful work of art and musical instrument, alone on the stage as a symbol of great power, magic, and curiosity. Captivating. Like it happens to me quite often, his curiosity got the better of him, so he jumped up on stage, ran to the piano bench, and to the shock and ire of the crowd started playing his own version of chopsticks! Immediately the shouts started:

“Who is this boy?”

“Get him off the stage!”

Offstage, Paderewski heard what was going on and walked on-stage, slowly and quietly came behind the young boy and started playing a beautiful melody around the child’s version of chopsticks. He whispered in the boy’s ear, “don’t stop, don’t quit, keep going, I’m right here by your side.”

How many times in life do we embark on something and are met with difficulties that cause us to quit before the beautiful music starts? Doubt creeps in, naysayers show up and start shouting, fear of judgment, unsure of what to do next or the simple difficulty of the task exhausts us?

Don’t quit; keep going. 

The Bible says, “Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

At just the RIGHT time... if we don’t give up. 

I’m convinced of two things: 

1.  The blessing comes AFTER the suffering. Change, growth, and accomplishment typically come through suffering or sacrifice. The point of perseverance is different for each of us. We all have a unique spot we must persevere through to reach the blessing, but it’s there, so press on.

2.  God will strengthen us and support us to the finish line. That’s his promise. When we are on stage doing our best, and the crowd is yelling and throwing rotten tomatoes, God walks up behind us, places his hands on the keyboard, and turns our noise into music. We have to keep playing. 

What are you facing today that is causing doubt? Planting seed of “quit” in your mind? Pushing you to want to give up? Making you feel that you can’t do it?

Ignore those thoughts. You CAN work through your doubt. Show up, get to work, and keep playing. A harvest of blessing is waiting for you.