Immeasurably More
My all time favorite TV ad is the one where the little boy makes his way onto the stage and up to the grand piano and begins to play Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Quietly behind him approaches the music master and joins him making his childish effort sound professional. The parents sitting in the audience morph from humiliation to pride.
Something in me swells every time I see that video clip stressing the importance of encouragement. I think I see much more in that tiny one minute story. That little boy is all of us. That little boy is me and you. I think about my meager efforts to accomplish some good thing and I picture in my mind my Heavenly Father approaching quietly from behind and turning my elementary efforts into blessings. My wonderful God is like that. Maybe that is why I am so drawn to the ad.
Ephesians 3:30 says, Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!
I know that the purpose of the ad is to encourage people to be like the musician, willing to come alongside a child with encouragement and understanding and patience. I didn’t miss that. It just seemed to speak louder to me that at times, I am the child. I am in need of something bigger than myself. What a comfort to think of God’s big, powerful arms reaching around me turning my efforts into something worthwhile. It reminds me of when He turned water into wine.
Water Into Wine
Every week she made her way to the rest home on the hill,
And played the old piano, their lonely hours to fill.
She hit wrong notes, and sang off key, but no one seemed to mind.
They recognized the gospel tunes and often you would find,
Some would clap their hands, or hum, and some might sing a line.
Some would wipe a tear as Jesus turned this water into wine.
Jesus changes water into wine,
He can make the simple into fine.
You may feel you haven’t much,
but it becomes a treasure at his touch,
Yes, Jesus changes water into wine.
Nervously with trembling hand taking guitar from its case,
He began to strum the chords, and sing Amazing Grace.
His wife and little boy joined in as he sang and played.
A first time gift of love was at the throne then laid.
You could hear Amen! Amen! For all had thought it fine.
And all were blessed to hear as Jesus turned this water into wine.
Jesus changes water into wine,
He can make the simple into fine.
You may feel you haven’t much,
but it becomes a treasure at his touch,
Yes, Jesus changes water into wine.
Each week he sat and waited in his wheelchair at the gate,
For his Sunday morning ride, never was he late.
Neighbors watched and wondered, where does he go each week?
Must be to church, buy why, oh why? They’d wonder as they’d peek.
What has he to give thanks for, what can he do confined?
But his neighbors did not know the Lord was turning water into wine.
Jesus changes water into wine,
He can make the simple into fine.
You may feel you haven’t much,
but it becomes a treasure at his touch,
Yes, Jesus changes water into wine.
