Subscribe
Latest Activity
-
About
Dr. Del Tackett is the author, architect and teacher for Focus on the Family's The Truth Project, a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.
-
By Month
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
Links
Oblivious to Grandeur
Posted on September 3, 2009
Filed Under Personal |
Photo by Grant Cheney
Most of us have seen them. Playing guitars, or trumpets, or strange home-made instruments.
Earlier this year, a man quietly took his place up against a Metro wall, pulled out his violin, placed his hat on the ground and began to play. For this day, he had chosen six selections from Bach. During his “performance”, several thousand people walked by. A few stopped to listen briefly, some slowed their pace, but most of his money came from those who didn’t slow down at all, they just dropped something in his hat as they rushed by—sympathy money, I suppose—certainly not an appreciative tip for the music.
On several occasions, little children would stop to listen, but every time they did, the parent would pull them on, much like one does with a dog that keeps stopping to sniff at something.
Maybe it was just child-like curiosity…or maybe, like dogs, the children sensed something.
Because it was something.
Photo from the Washington Post
Today, his concert netted a mere 32 bucks. Most from sympathy.
When he finished, there was no applause, no standing ovation, nothing to acknowledge the magnificent talent that had just been on display.
But now the music had stopped. The violin went back into its case. And the master walked away…returning the Metro to its normal daily buzz.
For nearly an hour, there had been grandeur there. But no one noticed it.
People just rushed by…unaware.
It was an interesting experiment by the Washington Post, but my guess is it gets carried out every day, everywhere. There is grandeur around us but we ignore it. 
The heavens declare the glory of God, but we don’t stop to listen.
The creation reveals the invisible attributes of the Grand Master…but we rush on.
The grandeur of the intricate details that adorn a simple mountain meadow flower often escape our notice.
So too, the people around us are filled with a grandeur as well. We ignore them. We discard them. We have our own agendas that push us on, driving us at our own frantic pace, ignoring the jewels in the cave so that we can achieve the next milestone in our scripts.
Forgive us for being so blind.
Dedicated to my great friends, Grant and Marc.
Comments
68 Responses to “Oblivious to Grandeur”
Leave a Reply
Comments are moderated and will not appear until they've been approved. While we are eager to facilitate conversation by publishing most comments, we may withhold one from time to time if we deem it to be inappropriate, i.e. offensive, vulgar, overly personal, cynical, disrespectful, irrelevant, redundant or unnecessarily contentious (what a list, huh?). Check it over for spelling and grammar before you submit so that nothing will hinder your eloquence!
Having just returned from a 9 month RV tour focused on God’s magnificent creation in the western US (www.jdwetterling.com), your blog today rang so true for me. You’ve made some great videos for The Truth Project. You need to write a book, too! God bless you, brother.
Del;
Thank you for all you do!
We are all oblivious to Grandeur from time to time. I was reminded of that this week when I heard of the “Fibonacci series” for the first time. It is so clear that our awesome God revealed something about his creation to Leonardo Fibonacci in 1202 AD. A glimpse at the mathematical building blocks and intricate design of plants and flowers is more than I can comprehend. However, I don’t need to understand it but just give the glory to God.
God Bless you and the Truth Project!
Roland
Tulsa Ok
Thanks for the Truth Project. So timely.
About that grandeur….I have spent the summer photographing beautiful butterflies. Only a Creator could have designed such beauty.
What a beautiful post … I’m very happy that I wasn’t too busy surfing the Web to read it!
And best wishes to Grant and Marc … two very talented men of integrity.
Dear Mr. Tackett,
Thank you so much for this post! As I read the article, I gasped when you revealed that the street musician was actually a genius! His free concert on the street was ignored just like Jesus’ grandeur when he walked the earth. And how true that we too ignore the grandeur in others, a grandeur that comes from being made in the image of God. Thank you so much for sharing this article!
I, too, love this story and was reminded of Jesus, who “… was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not recieve him.” (John 1:10-11).
I confess my own “missing” of the true Master so often in the daily grind. How often I have been guilty of throwing a bit of my loose change in his direction and passing on by, oblivious to his grandeur.
It is a regret that people are so busy with the “ordinary” that they miss the “extraordinary”…I have felt the Lord God was in a “high mood” when He created the American west…globbing on His creativity…bold and beautiful…an “aha” at every turn…Yet no less was His design when He came to the midwest (namely Michigan…our home). I think He was in a mellow mood that “day”…slowly carving out the Great Lakes with a finger and finishing the rest with a size three brush…in the Summer, the queen anne lace is as much a miracle in a four inch square as the bold mountain peak… and in the Autumn…”every leaf is a painting”…His wonders are worth the finding…if sought.
Just taking a moment to “throw in my coin” of appreciation by saying “thanks” Del for the contribution you have made with The Truth Project. I have personally gained much as have each participant in the groups I have been involved with.
God bless your ministry
Bob
I’ve long believed that God prepares the banquet room for us everyday: beauty, abundance, relationsohips etc. Everyday it’s prepared to the fullest potentital - not missing one single detail. Whether we notice or not, simply because that’s who God is.
My husband and I recently vacationed in Colorado and our last stop was a visit to some friends in Colorado Springs. We had also been in Ouray, one of my favorite places in the state. I wondered if one living there ever gets “immune” to the beauty they are surrounded by. So, when visiting my friends I asked that question: Do you ever take it for granted? My friend said, “I thank God every morning for letting me live here.” Thank you Del for the reminder to look for that grandeur in places besides those we come to expect it from.
praise be the God of the universe, for all his awesome creations and all the mercy he has extended to us by sending his son Jesus Christ to give us live. amen
Thanks, Del, for the reminder to stop and appreciate the grandeur of people.
While my seven year old daughter was getting ready for school this morning, I noticed two hummingbirds dancing around the flowers on the patio. I quickly called her to the backdoor so we could watch them. It was a wonderful moment that we shared, and she still made it to school on time. Thank you for the Truth Project, my daughter is a “first year student” (you can’t say freshman anymore..ha ha…) at a University. The Truth Project DVD series has been beyond helpful in preparing her for college. Her classes are filled with misinformation. She called her Dad tonight to say, “you and Mom are so right”…and she thank us for teaching her the truth, and we thank you.
Amen.
The abundance of beauty that God blessed us with is more than we can ever fully realize. How I love the mountains, the ocean,the tiniest flower, the highest redwood. But what I desire to see as well is His beauty in the people who are unlovely, talents silent. The elderly senile, the multi handicapped, the homeless, the lonely,( oh I said that 3 times already.) His beauty, His majesty, His music, speaks softly behind such faces,& sweetly through those who touch them.
How refreshing! So many times, I rush through life just trying to get to the next phase instead of learning and enjoying all I can from the moment at hand. Daily I ask God to help make me a better person, but it’s going to take a long time if I don’t slow down and take in all that I can from where He puts me. Thanks for this, and more.
Blessings!
Del,
I served in Bosnia soon after the wars in the 90s and even in a war scarred country I could see the grandeur of God’s creation in the beauty of the mountains, rivers and lakes rising above the scars. In the middle of life’s most difficult times, God is still there in all His glory. Thanks for reminding us.
What a story to read! Yes, most people are so very blind to something so spectacular!
Thanks to the writer who wrote this, and to the Only One who could’ve brought me to this webpage to read it!
Hi Del, My 97 year old aunt is coming for lunch this Thursday. She is sharp as a tack and I love listening to her many stories and adventures. She hops on planes to go out West, she goes on cruises, and she cooks for the “old” people in her building! I want to have an opportunity to share the grandeur of the Cross with her this week. Will you please pray for us this week and that my incredible Aunt Mary will see the amazing beauty of salvation. Thanks for caring and for serving. I was very moved by the violin story. Pat
Amen
My wife and I have a favorite walk we do on a regular basis. It is McCullom Park alongsied I-5 north of Seattle. I has some old 2nd growth timber in it, vine maples, woodpeckers, (one snag that looks like a woodpecker siting on top of it) a host of squirells, birds and other wildlife. We have a spot off the trail where we go to kneel in prayer and thank the Lord for putting this little bit of Eden so close to I-5. It’s amazing how you can find little bits and pieces of God’s grandeur just off the freeway. It really helps us stay in touch as we both live very stress filled lives. We love gtting connected in the woods, and it’s only 5 miles up the freeway!!!
Loved this story, my son is a violinist. I sense that even our family does not understand the time and talent that goes into playing. Wondering why he had to study so long to learn to play the violin. People just do not understand nor appreciate real music.
I don’t ascribe much significance to people ignoring Joshua Bell in a subway station. People are there to catch a train, not to listen to a concert. These situations are a setup. It’s just possible that people saw this as someone trying to take advantage of their sympathy. Or it may just have been one of the many obstacles that keep them from their work that day. Whatever, it doesn’t necessarily reflect their attitude about life. It’s simply in the wrong place at the wrong time for them.
I will be sharing this article this evening with our Women’s Bible Study, to remind us to stop and behold God’s grandeur. Thank you for this and so many other wonderful God sightings. Consistently reminding us that we are not alone and He is mighty.
Hi Del,
While i do often stop to see God’s creative hand around me-the shape of the clouds, the color of the sky that day, the sunshine reflecting diamonds on the waters, the stars in the universe, etc. i was truly convicted about getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of my life. I don’t want to forget about the people around me. God has called us to reach out with the Gospel message to a “lost generation.” Forgive me Lord……
What a marvelous illustration of the glory of God we can miss so easily. Recently read a definition of glory that made me painfully aware of my own failure and sin.”Glory is giving a correct estimate or opinion of someone or something.” It made me ask myself what opinion my life is giving of God. Thanks again for your blog.
Praise God for all His magnificent creation. We are blessed beyond measure. I pray we will all be more observant to the beauty that surrounds us. Thanks for sharing.
Having just seen the grandeur of 8 national parks on a recent vacation, it struck me that most of them (especially the Grand Canyon) also proclaim God’s judgment on sin. They are testaments to the destructive forces of the worldwide flood of Noah’s day, a reminder that His justice is real; and also that His grace (saving Noah’s family) is also real. These geological wonders are just as misunderstood as the violinist in the subway station. And to the Christian, they are reminders that even death itself is transformed into grandeur as we pass from a temporal, groaning world into a magnificent, permanent dwelling with our Lord.
Great but sad story. I agree we all need to slow down and appreciate the great world God has given us to inhabit for just a short time.
I love the Truth Project. Keep up the great work.
So many people rush through their lives and miss the things that God gave us to make life special. When they do stop to take things in they often feel they have to go somewhere else to appreciate the beauty that God has made. God reaches out to us where we are. You dont have to go to a mountain top to have a mountain top experiance. Just be still and listen. Just be still and watch. God will show you the beauty He has made for you right where you live. It might even be in the Metro in DC
It is truly amazing how shallow so many are, focusing 100% on their daily grind, living their entire life on the same block, etc. The grandeur is not just in the fine arts, the beauty of the scenery and the varied music, but also in the people themselves, the varied languages and cultures. No one can absorb it all. God is truly amazing for those with comprehension of him, yet he has time and takes time to serve each of us, according to His word.
Del-
God speaks to us in very subtle ways, everyday. The sunrise, the awe of a thunderstorm, the wonder on the face of a child at seeing something for the first time, the soft touch of a loved one, nature’s beauty, or the sunset. Subtle, yet grand!
Thanks for the reminder to STOP! LOOK! And, most importantly, GIVE HIM THANKS AND PRAISE.
Del:
Thanks for the great reminder. It seems almost inconceivable that people would simply walk by a world-class musician like Joshua Bell without even a second glance. And yet, we do the same thing when we ignore a great sunset presented to us free of charge and choreographed by the One who CREATED Joshua Bell. Can’t wait to share this with my Sunday School class. Glad I took the time to read it. I almost pressed the delete key…
Thank you for the reminder to stop and take in the grandeur that God has placed all around us. We finished Tour 10 last night and all agreed that what we are learning is something that needs to be given to all of America, well, to all the World. Thank you for your work and passion that I see in the Truth Project. Bless you as you continue to work for Him.
In Christ,
Steve
I have always been captivated by the awsomeness of God’s creation. It just a amazes me how the human race can just walk around our world and not observe how wonderful and miraculous our surroundings are. I can even enjoy a grassy hillside and a desert that is seemingly barren. The possibility of enjoyment within our eyesight is just boundless.
God’s beauty is all around us. I have taught my 3 year old grandaughter to look up in the sky and see the moon and stars. We will be driving and she will say, Grandma, the moon is following us.
God has given us so much; his creation is beyond beautiful.
Very inspiring, today I face the day trying to “see”.
God blesses you!!
Del,
Thank you for this engaging story. It is astounding that at least some did not notice, and then stop and listen to this tremendous talent.
I started reading the comments above, and they were very interesting, so many illustrating the “stop and smell the roses” idea. In our fast moving lives, may we have a vision of serving our Master that is based on His timeless principles from His Word.
You have benefited so many so much with the Truth Project to help us to better understand and to hear the call to follow Him.
I am so guilty of being so focused on what I am headed out to do that sometimes after I pass someone or something, then it dawns on me that I missed the opportunity. Missed the opportunity to see something special and maybe to have smiled or spoken a kind word to the person I just passed. I believe it is God who wakes me up at that moment to remind me to SLOW DOWN and SEE!
To stay focused on HIM causes my day to have many special moments that I do notice and am greatly blessed and thankful to God for His Love and the beauty in the most simple of things.
Excellent comments.
I too thank our Heavenly Father for His marvelous and truly beautiful creation. For this reason, my wife and I prefer to travel by auto, rather than air so we can enjoy and thank our God for nearly every mile in the country and even in the cities where God’s trees exist.
It is a pity that the evolutionists can’t give God credit for our existance and earth and universe we enjoy.
That true story made me think of my grandfather who emigrated from Sweden with his wife and then fathered 3 children. We often came to dinner at their house, which he built, and heard him play the cello, viola and violin. (not at the same time). I was thankful to play with him on the piano occasionally. What an opportunity to hear someone in the subway in Washington D.C.
Thank you for the reminder and for the Truth Project. We all could take more notice of our surroundings,spending more time engageing with those around us. I thank God for not being too “distracted” to engage with me. Also, I thank him for his delight in me even when I am “distracted” by all that I experience in any day.
wonderful script…i want to believe that if i were alone, i would have stopped, closing my eyes to linger, listening to the melody…forgetting all about where i thought i was headed before. Whatever it was, my former destination would have paled so next to this. I am rather odd that way. Blessed indeed actually. i only wish i were in new york that day.
Your account of the violinist makes me wonder about me, had I been about the streets of Jerusalem when Jesus was there. Would I have understood the truth of the words He spoke? Would I have been one to say He should not pluck heads of wheat on the Sabbath? Would I have agreed with the ones who said Jesus was the son of Satan?
Would I have noticed the greatness of the Savior?
I know that I go about life missing too much beauty.
I can relate to this story, since I play the Tenor Saxophone. It is through what you do that protray who you are. The importance of such talent is administer in many ways. God get the Glory in all things; even it is viewed bad, He can turn it for His Goodness. Keep up the good work!
My husband and I took a few days off earlier this week and drove up through Rocky Mountain National Forest. As the aspens were turning beautiful shades of yellow and red and the rainstorm rolled in, we parked several times and just sat in awe of the magnificence of God. Thanks for helping to remind us to be aware - and give thanks - of all He has created (both in nature and in music).
Dear Mr. Tackett: Your thought/comment today brought tears to my eyes…. Indeed our society has us living or should I say “running” about around our daily lives pushing us to ignore the enormous “sings” of G-d’s love and presence in our world. Your comment brought me to tears because I remember how many times I’ve cried out to Him asking “Show me You’re there”, and yet I had no time to slow down and notice “His details” all around me, thank you for reminding me that we are nothing but a mere second in our lives, so I might well “slow-down” before I regret it and miss the “big-one”. Be blessed…
This morning I took my friend over the Rockies in my small Cessna. We flew past Mount Assiniboine which Towers approximately 11,750 feet above see level, and is more than a mile above the valley floor. Talk about grandeur! Totally amazing! God’s creation is beyond comprehension and description!
Joshua Bell offered his gift of music for free. God offers His gift salvation through Jesus Christ for free. In both cases we American’s are so busy that we pay money to enjoy a gift but can’t take the time to stop to enjoy Crater Lake, a man playing music on the street, a sunset, the quietness of a breeze in forest, the gift of peace through Jesus, the son of God.
Just returned from a 10 day cruise [Quebec City to New York city]. We saw magnicient landscapes and vast beauty in sunsets, sunrises and coastlines. Then we actually paid to visit the Vanderbuilt homes in Newprot, R.I. While I can appreciate the talents of the artisans that created these museum homes, I felt it left me and others so empty, certainly not envious. It just seemed like monuments to mankinds self-absorbed indulgence and worship of idols. What a contrast to the sweeping beauty, freely available to all who will but look for it.
May God keep you on this precious path you have opened up to us,
Janice
I am applauding the violinist. God was listening and He really appreciated the beauty of the music. Thank you for sharing.
It made me cry to realize that such a great talent could be ignored in all our busy-ness and that we also ignore all the beauty God has given us for free! My husband has been with the Lord four years, but I am so grateful that he always had time to “smell the roses.” Your story reminded me of that. Thank you.
Thanks for reminding us to STOP and TAKE NOTICE! This morning as I was getting ready for work I commented to my husband about the birds singing outside. It was getting ready to rain, but the birds were doing exactly what they were created to do - they were declaring the Glory of the LORD. I’m glad I was listening early this morning and then reading your blog later on this morning. Thanks again for the reminder!
Dear Del,
I am a retired Lutheran school teacher and principal. I have spent the last 35 years working in Stevens Point, in central Wisconsin. I attemded a truth project last spring and this summer introduced the project to two early morning men’s bible studies. We are currently on tour 3 and the groups response has been very positive and I believe we are moving closer to each other as brothers in the faith during these last few weeks that over the several years we have been together. As a teacher I really appreciate your teaching style and although I have seen some of the tours several times they always make me think and I discover new things; sometimes larva, caccoon or a butterfly or two.Thanks for your part in the Truth Project. Ron
What a beautiful story, sad though it is that we do hurry by and miss so much of what our Father has gifted us. My husband and I are retired but can not afford to travel and see all the beautiful Creation which most of your readers have seen. So, we turned our front yard into a flower garden which welcomes us home daily and reminds us of God’s wonderful Creation and the beauty He inspires in each little bloom. Honestly, I think we reap as much joy from these flowers as if we had traveled to some of the places we have wished to see. God bless, and may God place each of us where He truly wants us to be.
Last night @ 12:30 something I posted this on my FB page, “The more things you try to do at the same time, the less you enjoy any of them !” I know we are busy, but we let ourselves be so fragmented wouldn’t that lend us to not being whole? We really miss what friends or loved ones are saying! We don’t really drink in that hug from the child! And like you said we miss the most grand momments in our lives! Every momment could be a blessing, a teaching, or a training session from God!
I actually heard about this story on NPR and never thought of it quite the way you have made your wonderful point. Thanks for sharing this insight.
Some times I wonder. If the miracles that were done by the Lord were done today. What would people do? What would they say? I really wonder how many people would slow down and listen to him? Have you ever wondered just what he would say to us today?
Makes me cringe and turn a little red inside at what he would think of me..
Del,
How poignant a message for me today. I am a born, raised and still living Floridian, but today I am in the mountains of Montana elk hunting with my 23 year old son. Two nights ago I “tweaked” my knee at the end of a glorious 15+ mile “death march” (@ 49 yrs it is closer to the truth) as my son and I affectionately call our excursions, and I am sitting here at church with your blog and website. I must admit that while I have been experiencing “God’s country” in a majestic way that is so different from Florida, my focus has not exactly been on Him. Thank you for drawing me back to gaze upon the face of God. I look at the sky at night out here, and the sight of stars and Milky Way are so vast compared to home it is mind-boggling. The heavens truly declare His majesty. The bugle of the majestic elk at 100 yards or at 7 yards, as my son experienced a couple of nights ago (I was at 20), pierces right to the soul. The human body with all of its complexities and senses that allows us to take it all in are incredible. As your blog states, “may we never allow ourselves to overlook the grandeur of God in our every day life.” Yet while these experiences truly allow us to experence an Almighty God, I must admit that the Truth Project first caused me to really consider the idea of gazing on the face of God. It truly has transformed my life. I have led four groups to date, and am currently working on a list for another group. Selfishly, I almost want to lead a group more for me than for them, but I will work on focusing more on them. Thank you for being God’s instrument in strengthening the body of Christ. Praying for God’s blessings to you. Solo Deo Gloria.
Hi Del,
Thanks once again for “introducing” us to “wonder” again. And also in the wonder of mankind. I am a pilot for a major airline and the Lord gives me a glimpse of his glory regularly. My prayer is that my passengers in the back may look out their windows occasionally and see His grandeur. Thank you for everything that you do.
Mike
I too am reminded through this wonderful illustration of the famous musician’s performance on the street, that I need to slow down and observe His goodness and blessings all around me each moment of each day. I’m also reminded that I should have an attitude of thanksgiving in all things, since in Him I move and live and exist.
Del,
In my own daily push, I haven’t always read your blog. But today I did. Thank you for that reminder. The Lord enabled you to express that scene, and our need to stop and take notice, in a memorable way.
I have always wondered why most people aren’t as fascinated by things as I seem to be. Thank the Lord for my little daughter. She is just as fascinated by the fact that your reflection is right-side-up on the underside of a spoon and upside-down on the inner side of the spoon as I am. I praise God for the wonders of the physical world.
Continue to post these words of wisdom, Dr. Tackett. As I read this one, tears welled up as I realized how much God calls me to slow down and stop trying to be all things to all people, and be a child at His feet for a season. Thank you for touching that chord He has created in me.
Thank you for that inspiring story…I’ve been there!
Del,
I am awestruck by all that I am learning in the “Truth Project” group I joined. I thank God and you for all I am learning, and relearning.
My parents have always taught me to look at nature in all its grandeur. I live near the Smoky Mountains in TN and see it everyday as I drive my daughter to school. I make a point to watch sunsets and tell God how beautiful they are and to thank Him for the beauty created for me. My daughter is learning the violin so I will look up Mr. Bell and let her hear him play on Youtube for inspiration. Thanks for this post cause it will strengthen my resolve to always try and look for the wonder of God’s world around me…
God bless you!
This is a WOW story for those who are so busy with their day, so plugged in and tuned in to their technology, and somehow we miss the beauty that God has placed before us simply because we are too busy. God help us to slow down and see everything you have given us this day! I would love to see a twitter link - this would have been one I would have posted to my twitter & facebook! Thank you so much for making my day!
I read that detailed story about the Joshua Bell “experiment”. There was even video! (I don’t know whether the story is still available on the site.)
Anyway, it was truly moving. And very convicting! I do try to stop when I hear music being played, and if they are good I give what I can. But sometimes I am just like everyone else, too busy to stop. Thanks for this reminder.