“Who cares if I can play the organ?”
This was the cranky attitude I had after this stubborn nagging thought returned to me yet, again:
“You need to learn to play the organ.”
My head landed dramatically on the keys of our piano with a bang.
“Seriously?”
Learning the organ meant a possibility of having to play the organ in front of people. Because let’s be real. Who would learn the organ only for the sheer joy of playing for an audience of one, alone at home? Okay. Maybe Bach. But I never met the man.
Having ignored my own share of “nudges” in the past and having witnessed the less-than-perfect consequences of doing so, I chose to humble myself and act.
I reluctantly called a friend to show me the basics.
Three weeks later . . . let me be clear . . . we’re only talking about twenty-one days . . . I was called in to meet with my ecclesiastical leader. He asked . . . Yes. You guessed it. If I would be willing to play the organ each week for church. That meant in front of people. Like a whole congregation of people.
AHHHH!
But I did it. And now, more than a decade later, I have played the organ on and off, adding up to approximately six years of service.
The dumb thing is that I would have been better prepared if I had acted on the very first nudge to learn. I am reminded of this now and then when new terrifying “nudges” show up in my life.
Recently my husband took up canning, and he actually thinks it’s fun. He does it for a number of reasons. One of those reasons is to encourage us to make healthier choices than processed or fast food when we’re on the run. Another is to be more self-sufficient, and lastly, to prepare us for a rainy day. (Like former seasons of unemployment we have endured.)
The canning process teaches some really cool principles — so stay with me for just a minute.
In order to can chicken (which is all he has done so far - twice), my husband has to prepare the jars. He sterilizes them and organizes the lids. He then cuts up the chicken (which is not necessary - but certainly convenient on the other end.) He adds salt, sets the lids, and puts the jars in a pressure cooker. Finally, heat and pressure are applied, and the chicken is sealed up and prepared for a future need. The chicken is good in that state for 3-10 years. Isn’t it interesting that he could prepare for a future event so long in advance? I’m sure even longer in some cases.
But let me tell you what happened.
The very next day after his first canning adventure, I had an emergency arise. I had a friend who was struggling, and I wanted to bring her dinner. I made some soup, and I thought I had plenty of time to cook some chicken to add to her family’s dinner. I unexpectedly had to take the soup much earlier than planned, and the chicken hadn’t even thawed yet. Yipes.
But, hooray. I was in luck. I opened a jar of my husband’s newly sealed chicken, and moments later I was on my way to deliver the meal. His preparation paid off.
So what does this have to do with anything? Well. Seasons of loss, sadness and mourning come to all of us. Times of change, stress, and overwhelm. Burdens to lift. Hearts to heal. Lives to touch, and challenges to overcome. Each of us has a need for sterilizing, preparation, intense heat, and a bit of pressure over the years, and they are here for a purpose — to preserve us as instruments in God’s hands. Sometimes the opportunities for Him to use us comes more quickly than we would have imagined - like with me learning the organ only three weeks before the call came and my urgent need for cooked chicken less than twenty-four hours after it was prepared.
Each little “nudge” helps us prepare for those times, so it’s worth paying attention when they come. And let’s be honest. Heavenly “nudges” are God’s way of refining and preserving us to do His divine work.
Your turn. What struggles and/or nudges have you felt recently? What does God want you to do with them? Perhaps you’ll notice that your preparation will be just in time as well, and when you do, I’d love to read your story in the comments below.
Would you like some support as you practice listening to those heavenly nudges? I’d love to help.