"But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God" - Acts 7:55-56
A story is told of a famous violinist who was to perform at a popular concert hall. As he stood before the crowded house that night and played his violin, he mesmerized the audience with his prowess and skill. As he lifted his bow off the string on his final note, the hall erupted with thunderous applause and he was given a standing ovation. He looked at the crowd for a moment and walked off the stage only to return to render an encore performance. To the amazement of the masses who gathered there that night, his encore performance was even more beautiful and flawless than the first.
This sequence was repeated several times until finally this virtuoso of virtuosos finished his piece. He then took a bow and walked off the stage while the ferocious cheers continued long after he had exited. Thereafter, a reporter approached him and asked this question, “Sir, why did you give so many encore performances? You could have stopped after the first and everyone would have been amazed.” The violinist stopped and replied, “For the very first time in my career, my master, the one who taught me to play the violin, was in the audience. When I finished my performance, everyone stood except for one person. I played again, and everyone stood to applaud except him. I continued to play. On the conclusion of the last encore I looked into the seats and I noticed that everyone, including my master, was standing and applauding. It was only then that I was satisfied that I had done a good job.”
Life is a podium with two audience - The Master (God) and the Apprentice (Man). Some outstanding performances applauded by man (the apprentice) may not receive the standing ovation of the Master (God). While God may give a standing ovation for a performance that men booed on the stage of life. Therefore, believers must be sensitive to discern who is applauding them and never be satisfied until the Master's applause overshadows that of the apprentice (man) (John 12:43). Being satisfied with the praise of fellow apprentice when the Master is silent about our performance can be very dangerous.
The great violinist in the above story must have learned some lessons from the life and ministry of Stephen in the early church. Stephen was so focus on the Master and his unwavering commitment/devotion paid off at the long run. One day, after Stephen had delivered a very articulated expository sermon, the crowd booed him but Jesus stood up beside His father in heaven to honour him (Acts 7:40-56). Jesus gave Stephen a standing ovation for the great work he had done. Jesus must have said to him," Well done, Stephen, I am so proud of you". Isn’t that amazing?
Friends, are you being applauded by man today? I say congratulations to you. However, please be sure the master is also applauding you too for your performance so far. Be very sure that the Master is pleased with your performance on this podium of life. And beware of the idol of fame and popularity. Are you being booed by men like Stephen for preaching the gospel, giving, praying, serving, living holy etc? Please don't be discouraged but rather, make up your mind to keep giving more encore performances until you see your Master standing up for you as He did for Stephen.
"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord" -. Matthew 25:21
One old time Christian hymn that describes the scripture in Mathew 25:21 is titled "He'll Understand and Say Well Done". May I urge you to prayerfully meditate on the lyrics of this wonderful song and trust God for more grace to receive the Master's standing ovation and warm embrace for your outstanding performances on this podium.
HE"LL UNDERSTAND AND SAY WELL DONE By Lucie E. Campbell, (1885–1963)
If when you give the best of your service,
Telling the world that the Savior is come;
Be not dismayed when men don't believe you;
He understands; he'll say, "Well done."
Refrain:
Oh, when I come to the end of my journey,
Weary of life and the battle is won;
Carrying the staff and the cross of redemption,
He'll understand, and say, "Well done."
Misunderstood, the Savior of sinners,
Hung on the cross; he was God's only Son;
Oh! hear him calling his Father in heav'n,
"Not my will, but thine be done."
If when this life of labor is ended,
And the reward of the race you have run;
Oh! the sweet rest prepared for faithful,
Will be his blest and final "Well done."
But if you try and fail in your trying,
Hands sore and scarred from the work you've begun;
Take up your cross, run quickly to meet him;
He'll understand; he'll say, "Well done."
It's my prayer that when the journey of life is over, we shall be privileged to be among those faithful believers who will be honoured like Stephen with the Master's standing ovation.
Good day, happy new month and God bless you.
Maranatha!
Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo
For more articles, please visit -
http://okanlawon.webnode.com
http:// okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
Twitter: @tammytaiwo
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