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A Jewish tale is of a simple man who relished offering his song to the Beloved Lord. He could barely carry a tune. But, the congregation could not afford a better singer, so this man was permitted to continue as the song leader. After some years the rabbi announced that the congregation had enough funds to hire a well-known singer to be song leader. All were pleased with this change, being glad to see the simple singer leave. One evening, a few weeks later, an angel appeared to the rabbi. The angel asked, “Where is the music that once rose up to the Beloved Lord? There is no sound of joy and thanksgiving coming from this place, now.” The rabbi pointed out, quickly, that the congregation had just hired a wonderful, very talented singer. The music was, observed the rabbi, first rate. Said the angel, “So, that is the problem. The new singer offers his music for the praise of others and, thereby, goes unheard by the Beloved Lord. But, the simple singer offered his music to the Beloved Lord alone and, consequently, made beautiful music in heaven.”
St. Paul directs his words, in Ephesians 6, to provide wisdom for different classes of people of his day, what amounts to the entire household. He addresses those who are slaves. Rather than seeking to denounce slavery, he provides direction on how slaves who were Christians needed to approach their station in life. Later, he provides guidance on how masters are to treat the slave. The wisdom of this instruction need not be missed due to questions of whether or not St. Paul supported slavery or is providing guidance for Christians in a social institution that he disagreed with.
5Slaves, you must obey your earthly masters. Show them great respect and be as loyal to them [“in singleness of heart,” NRSV) as you are to Christ. 6Try to please them at all times, and not just when you think they are watching. You are slaves of Christ, so with your whole heart you must do what God wants you to do. 7Gladly serve your masters [“render service with enthusiasm,” NRSV), as though they were the Lord himself, and not simply people. 8You know that you will be rewarded for any good things you do, whether you are slaves or free. (Ephesians 6, CEV)
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These directions can be applied in many situations. They lead us beyond technology and expertise, as well as productivity and performance, to the heart of the matter. Like the tale of the simple singer, the Gospel turns right side up the values by which many relationships exists and, likewise, can challenge the values applied in spiritual communities, challenging the norms by which we judge the actions of others, as well as ourselves. So, we return to the heart, as we spoke of the religion of the heart some days ago. Here, the matter is serving from the heart.
I know, as a pastor and, therefore, worship leader, the importance of the heart over talent and love over performance. I have known pianists, for example, who are excellent players of the instrument, but they do not communicate the spirit of worship. Then, to me, that is not impressive, though it might be at a bar or a theatre. However, I have enjoyed pianists who can communicate worship both through their own being and, likewise, through the instrument. There is a difference.
See, our intent is to make our every act of service, both in the context of the spiritual community and the world, a sacramental offering. We are seeking through the act to provide a bridge, so to speak, between earth and heaven.
So, let us reevaluate our service and what gives it value. Let us relish the gift that some have to combine expertise and service, heartfully, in a way that the expertise does not detract from but compliments the purpose of edification and wholehearted devotion to God. Let us “make music,” so to speak, “in heaven,” as we serve through the gifts we are gifted with on this earth, doing our best, but never reducing the effectiveness of our service to expertise or talent. And, with this attitude, we can give with enthusiasm, free of judging our devotion. Thereby, we can rejoice in the gift of giving with singleness of heart and in trust that the Spirit will use our enthusiasm, love, and good intent to the good of others.
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