Our congregation had never done a standing ovation for a musical presentation until ... "Gospel music" with its strong rhythm, punctuated lyrics, a dominant lead vocalist, and a supporting choir, communicates with richness and clarity to the very soul of its audience with a spiritual message often born out of life itself. Ours was a volunteer choir for the occasion led by Ellen’s vocal talent and her ability to communicate musically on both an emotional and spiritual level. The lyrics expressed with certainty the listening and responsive ear of God to our prayers and our concerns. Ellen’s passion for singing is surpassed only by her passion for God, and both passions came to the forefront as vocally, physically, and emotionally she captured the hearts of the congregation with the message of her words. I stood behind her, lending as part of the choir, my limited musical expertise, but as I watched her, her passions literally fed my own. As the applause subsided, Ellen’s passion became a singular one. The prayer of her own heart was for those who had just listened that what had captured their spirits would linger and be a poignant reminder of the caring responsiveness of her God. Her very demeanor was a lesson and challenge of humility. Ellen accepts that God has gifted her in a unique way and she is eager to share her gift with others, but she is quick to bring a shadow over her own self, that God would be truly seen and honored.

 

Isn’t that what Jesus did in the upper room with His disciples on the eve before His crucifixion? With a full understanding of who He was, He took the role of a servant, washed the dirt-scuffed feet of His disciples, and allowed His Father to be seen and honored. Someone has said that we are capable of accomplishing much, if we don’t care who gets the credit. The one who possesses humility gives all that she has without any expectation of acknowledgment. She recognizes the abilities, the skills, the insights, the possibilities that are hers, and she is eager to use them. She uses them though for others, and for God, and not for her own self. There is no demeaning of her personhood and no holding back of what she is capable of doing or being. And in the end, others are very aware that she has done well, but her thoughts are not of herself – neither to flaunt herself nor to abase herself. She simply is, and she simply does. Her thoughts are of others and her thoughts are of God. There is a recognition that whatever is given is from God Himself and it counts giving to others as a privilege. I must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on the cross.