Paganini on one string!

I heard Pastor Chuck Swindol tell this story beautifully!

Paganini was one of the world’s greatest violinists. One night, a rich man asked Paganini to serenade his lady friend. The air was quite damp, and the violin strings of the day did not respond well to that kind of humidity. First the “E” string broke. Paganini was not fazed. Then the “A” and “D” strings also snapped. The rich man instantly got upset. But Paganini simply smiled and continued to play on one string just as if he was playing on all four! The serenade was a success and Paganini bowed to his audience saying, “Paganini on one string!”.

Esther in the belonged to the group of Jews who chose not to return to Judah. Esther was an orphan under the custody of her cousin Mordecai. Growing up without parents is not the ideal life one could long for. Her life must have been controlled by Mordecai for we see her completely obedient to him. Being subject to our parents is one thing but being subject to a cousin, is not an enviable position either. Yet she became a Queen with a plan and a purpose! She planned to pray and identify herself with her kin.

In life, God takes each one of us through different paths. Each one’s trials and tears are different. We have to run our race only in the track marked out for us. I cannot run in yours and you cannot run in mine! If we are subject to God, He will work through our lives too and lift us up in His time, for the Bible says in 1 Pet 5:6, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,…”

Paganini did not complain and lament about what life dealt with him that day. He performed to his best with just one string! Esther did not complain about the problems she had faced all her life! But in that very situation of her life, she did what she could. And God blessed her efforts!

My friend, let us not compare ourselves with others and grumble away our God given opportunities. Whatever our lot in life is, God is sovereign over all of it. He is truly in control. If we submit to Him and do our best, God can bring victories even through our life!

Categories: Weekly DevotionalsAuthor: Hephzibah StephenDate: 19th July 2017 Share: newsletterDisplay date: 19th July 2017

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