ARE WE RUSHING THROUGH LENT?
And he said: Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:3
“In Washington, D.C. at a Metro station on a cold morning, a man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2000 people went through that station. After about 4 minutes a man noticed the musician playing. He slowed for a minute and then hurried on. Four minutes later the violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in his hat, and without stopping started to walk again.
Six minutes later a young man stopped for a minute and then hurried on.
The next person to stop was a three-year-old boy. He watched the violinist intently, but his mother pulled him along. He continued to walk but turned his head the entire time. This action was repeated by other children, but every parent, without exception, forced their child to move on quickly.
At 45 minutes only 6 people had stopped and listened for a short while.
The man collected a total of $32. After one hour he finished playing and silence had taken over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all. No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each. This event was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people’s priorities.”
If our life is so scheduled and full that many don’t have time to listen to beautiful music, played on one of the most beautiful instruments made, by one of the best musicians in the world, how many other things are we missing as we rush through life? During this Lenten season, don’t rush through life. Take your time, and in your best childlike manner draw closer to God to humbly accept His sacrifice for us.
Heavenly Father, look upon us as children of God. Help us to humbly
and lovingly draw closer to you as we remember Your sacrifice.
In the name of Your Son. Jesus Christ. Amen
Barbara Schneider
