Give unto the LORD the glory due his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

1 Chronicles 16:29 KJV

The guitarist played his instrument, as students listened, or studied, and some conversed. It was a Student Center, so a plethora of activities was the norm.

I was drawn to sit and listen to this guitarist, not for his musical talent, which was quite developed, but rather for his unusual focus. With body bowed at times, eyes closed, and head lifted, he played as if he was the only one in the lounge area. Students listening to the guitarist would lift their hands, close their eyes, and praise their unseen God. They seemed genuine. I did not understand, but I was drawn.

“Give to the LORD the glory due His Name,” the guitarist sang, “Worship Him in the beauty of holiness.” This was the guitarist’s favorite song, an adaptation of 1 Chronicles 16:29. It felt like a holy moment every time he would play it. I felt a holy hush enter the room even if there was noise about us. To me, and obviously to the guitarist, time stopped while the unseen Savior entered…

Every time he sang this song, I would draw closer, pressing through the crowd as the cares of the world sluffed away. It was as if my worries were a toothpick tower. Nothing could weigh me down.

Time and again, I came. When I knew the guitarist would be there, I would be there too. I didn’t know his God yet, but I wanted to.

“Jesus, Jesus, Jesus…” he sang, and then he broke into dialogue, while still strumming chords on his guitar, “there’s something about His marvelous and matchless Name. His is the Name above all other names. Allow Him to bring peace to your soul today.” At these times, his eyes would be piercing rather than closed, and looking right at each individual as he scanned the audience. The guitarist seemed to know when a new listener was there, and he would look right at them and smile.

Although I was set aback by his blue-eyed, intense glances, I never minded them. He was genuine about sharing the goodness of the Savior.

At long last, I approached the guitarist after he was finished playing an evening melody.

“Jesus means everything to me,” he said. “He is the first person I think about when I awake. He gives purpose to my days. I live to honor Him.” I knew he meant what he shared with me. Everything about this man spoke genuineness. “Read the Gospel of John,” the guitarist said. He was the second person to suggest that to me in less than a week. I decided to take his advice.

It wouldn’t be long after I met the guitarist that I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. So now, I also awake saying, “Jesus, I love You. Guide my day and help me to make an eternal difference.” You see, Jesus died on the cross as the penalty for my sins. He raised to life, victorious over death, hell, and the grave for me. And friend, He has done the same for you.

I now understand what was different about the guitarist was the Spirit that rested within his soul.  John 4:23 KJV reads,

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

The guitarist was a Spirit-filled believer. He accomplished this through the avenue of worship.

Friend, your worship of Jesus is powerful too. If I was won by this believer, accompanied by several other believers who were not afraid to demonstrate their love of the Lord, you can make an eternal difference too. By your example of serving in Spirit and in truth, you can win souls for the kingdom.

Let 1 Chronicles 16:20 and John 4:23 be your prayer. When we will worship the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in a tangible way, this opens the door of salvation wide to those we are influencing. Seekers and believers alike know what is genuine and what is a performance.

When I see our Savior face-to-face, I want to hear Him say to me, “Well done, friend. You won souls into the kingdom because you sang the melody I wrote on your heart.”

Even now, the guitarist’s song, and his chords of worship play in my heart. His worship has helped me to tune my heart to the Spirit-inspired melody, and now, that is the song I sing as well. How about you? Join the angels and sing….

Lord Jesus, help me to hear, sing, and share Your Spirit-song. Amen

Copyright 2019: The Guitarist: Author Diane Virginia Cunio: Pen Name Diane Virginia: All Rights Reserved: https://vinewords.net/diane-virginia-the-guitarist/