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One of the proudest moments of my life was the moment in which I picked up my brand-new 3/4 size violin. It was a few years back, and my mom had wanted me to pick up a hobby. Now, most guys at my age would've chosen some sport, like Football or Basketball. But I'm not exactly the athletic type, so I opted for something more my speed. I chose to play the violin.
One of the proudest moments of my life was the moment in which I picked up my brand-new 3/4 size violin. It was a few years back, and my mom had wanted me to pick up a hobby. Now, most guys at my age would've chosen some sport, like Football or Basketball. But I'm not exactly the athletic type, so I opted for something more my speed. I chose to play the violin.
So you can just imagine my excitement as I lifted my violin out of its case. My joy in putting the Shoulder Rest on the Violin and picking up the bow. My happiness in lifting the bow onto my shoulder-
So you can just imagine my excitement as I lifted my violin out of its case. My joy in putting the Shoulder Rest on the Violin and picking up the bow. My happiness in lifting the bow onto my shoulder-
-only to realize that my Shoulder Rest was backwards.
-only to realize that my Shoulder Rest was backwards.
This did two things to me. Number One, it humiliated me; and Number Two, it showed me just how little I knew about playing an instrument.
This did two things to me. Number One, it humiliated me; and Number Two, it showed me just how little I knew about playing an instrument.
The lessons began, and I spent weeks working on nothing but technique. How to stand, how to hold the violin and the bow. And all that was before even playing a note! The first song, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" was a real challenge. I thought that there was no way a song could be any harder than that.
The lessons began, and I spent weeks working on nothing but technique. How to stand, how to hold the violin and the bow. And all that was before even playing a note! The first song, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" was a real challenge. I thought that there was no way a song could be any harder than that.
Well, playing Minuets by Bach proved me wrong. These songs were the most challenging in the book! They had oh so many repeats, and seemed to go on forever!
Well, playing Minuets by Bach proved me wrong. These songs were the most challenging in the book! They had oh so many repeats, and seemed to go on forever!
But you know what? After playing those hard songs, the earlier songs became a lot...easier.
But you know what? After playing those hard songs, the earlier songs became a lot...easier.
You see, I believe to play the violin, you go through three stages.
You see, I believe to play the violin, you go through three stages.
Stage 1: Hard.
Stage 1: Hard.
Stage 2: Harder.
Stage 2: Harder.
Stage 3: Easy.
Stage 3: Easy.
Beginning to play the violin is hard. Playing the Minuets and Gavottes are even harder. But if you stick with it, if you persevere, it will all be a lot easier.
Beginning to play the violin is hard. Playing the Minuets and Gavottes are even harder. But if you stick with it, if you persevere, it will all be a lot easier.
Now, I know what you're thinking. "Why did this guy just randomly post an article about the Violin on a Christian website?" And that's what I'm about to explain.
Now, I know what you're thinking. "Why did this guy just randomly post an article about the Violin on a Christian website?" And that's what I'm about to explain.
The Gospels tell us about the life of Christ. How He lived, and how He died, and how He was resurrected. This is where the Violin comes in! Because it is my belief that Jesus Christ's death came in the same three stages that playing the Violin did, only on a much larger scale.
The Gospels tell us about the life of Christ. How He lived, and how He died, and how He was resurrected. This is where the Violin comes in! Because it is my belief that Jesus Christ's death came in the same three stages that playing the Violin did, only on a much larger scale.
Christ's death was long, agonizing, and humiliating. During His flogging, Jesus was whipped. He was spat upon. He was struck. He was mocked. And He was forced to carry His cross, which would later bring about His death.
Christ's death was long, agonizing, and humiliating. During His flogging, Jesus was whipped. He was spat upon. He was struck. He was mocked. And He was forced to carry His cross, which would later bring about His death.
This was Stage 1: Hard.
This was Stage 1: Hard.
Now, I know what you're thinking. "THIS IS JUST STAGE 1? A ROMAN SCOURGING AND CRUCIFIXION ARE JUST 'HARD'? WHAT COULD BE HARDER THAN" -Question. If you were all-powerful, and you were about to die, would you save yourself? Would you call, say, ten thousand angels to save you?
Now, I know what you're thinking. "THIS IS JUST STAGE 1? A ROMAN SCOURGING AND CRUCIFIXION ARE JUST 'HARD'? WHAT COULD BE HARDER THAN" -Question. If you were all-powerful, and you were about to die, would you save yourself? Would you call, say, ten thousand angels to save you?
Stage 2: Harder. Jesus died.
Stage 2: Harder. Jesus died.
Christ could've done exactly what I just mentioned. He could've called ten thousand angels and been done with it! Jesus Christ was all powerful. And yet He died. He succumbed to that final humiliating enemy, that enemy that no one beats. And because of this, because of His perseverence and endurance, Christ got to enjoy that final stage.
Christ could've done exactly what I just mentioned. He could've called ten thousand angels and been done with it! Jesus Christ was all powerful. And yet He died. He succumbed to that final humiliating enemy, that enemy that no one beats. And because of this, because of His perseverence and endurance, Christ got to enjoy that final stage.
Stage 3: Easy. Jesus resurrected, and ascended to Heaven.
Stage 3: Easy. Jesus resurrected, and ascended to Heaven.
I can't imagine anything as easy or as enjoyable as going to Heaven to worship God for eternity, with no fear or sin or death.
I can't imagine anything as easy or as enjoyable as going to Heaven to worship God for eternity, with no fear or sin or death.
Jesus Christ persevered. He embodied 2 Timothy 4:7. The verse reads: “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” Jesus fought the good fight! He endured the two hard stages of life and death, and because of this He was rewarded.
Jesus Christ persevered. He embodied 2 Timothy 4:7. The verse reads: “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” Jesus fought the good fight! He endured the two hard stages of life and death, and because of this He was rewarded.
But Jesus isn’t the only one who gets to enjoy that third stage. Because, you see, we’re going to go through the exact same stages that Jesus did.
But Jesus isn’t the only one who gets to enjoy that third stage. Because, you see, we’re going to go through the exact same stages that Jesus did.
Stage 1 is life. Life is hard. Life is full of pain and suffering. And after you’re done with Stage 1 you know what you have to look forward to? Stage 2: Death. That humiliating enemy that no one beats. No one but One, and that was Jesus Christ.
Stage 1 is life. Life is hard. Life is full of pain and suffering. And after you’re done with Stage 1 you know what you have to look forward to? Stage 2: Death. That humiliating enemy that no one beats. No one but One, and that was Jesus Christ.
So that is why I am so excited for Stage 3. To leave this pain-filled and sinful world, to worship God for eternity. This world isn’t all there is. This is just the First Stage. And if we persevere, if we endure, if we obey God’s commands, the final stage will be better than anything we could imagine. But your third stage will be your choice. If you endure in this first stage, you will earn the joy of the easy stage. But if not, then you will be transferred to a stage I haven't mentioned yet.
So that is why I am so excited for Stage 3. To leave this pain-filled and sinful world, to worship God for eternity. This world isn’t all there is. This is just the First Stage. And if we persevere, if we endure, if we obey God’s commands, the final stage will be better than anything we could imagine. But your third stage will be your choice. If you endure in this first stage, you will earn the joy of the easy stage. But if not, then you will be transferred to a stage I haven't mentioned yet.
Violin lessons ended for the summer. I took my violin home, I set it in the corner, and you know what happened? It sat there, collecting dust, until lessons started up again. And when my teacher asked me to play a hard song, I couldn't do it. Because I had neglected practicing, perfecting, pushing through the stages. So I ended up in an alternative third stage. IMPOSSIBLE.
Violin lessons ended for the summer. I took my violin home, I set it in the corner, and you know what happened? It sat there, collecting dust, until lessons started up again. And when my teacher asked me to play a hard song, I couldn't do it. Because I had neglected practicing, perfecting, pushing through the stages. So I ended up in an alternative third stage. IMPOSSIBLE.
The same thing can happen in life! If we give up, if we don't push on through life, then when the third stage comes, it will be nothing like the joy of the Easy Stage. It will so, so much harder. Because we gave up.
The same thing can happen in life! If we give up, if we don't push on through life, then when the third stage comes, it will be nothing like the joy of the Easy Stage. It will so, so much harder. Because we gave up.
I know I want to go to Heaven. I want the Easy stage. But your third stage is your choice. What will yours be?
I know I want to go to Heaven. I want the Easy stage. But your third stage is your choice. What will yours be?
-Reese
-Reese
Too much to read? Then just WATCH Reese deliver the speech below ⬇
Too much to read? Then just WATCH Reese deliver the speech below ⬇
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