Paganini and One String!

Words can never adequately convey the incredible impact of our attitude toward life. The longer I live the more convinced I become that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I respond to it.

When we confuse those numbers and switch the roles our lives are then turned into meaningless victims played at the whim of the fates. Such thinking is negative leading to despair and a dark side that covers our thinking like a thick blanket. A positive attitude is a choice but that choice must originate from a will that has been baptized in the experiential love of God. When I have truly grasped the truth that I am Abba's child and that He loves me in spite of all the false pretenses I tend to put up, then this reality show of life takes on a new perspective.

"If anyone be in Christ...a new creation!" (2 Cor. 5:17). My attitude is affected. All of life seems like a new creation because I see things more clearly from His perspective and His awareness. My life perspective changes...my attitude choices take on a new anchor. That anchor is not in my own gumption or fortitude but centered in the Rock Himself as my foundation. Awareness of His presence immerses my attitude with a Godly perspective that is addictive.

The result is an attitude of fortitude that infects those around us.

One of my favorite stories is told by Chuck Swindoll:

The colorful, nineteenth century showman and gifted violinist Nicolo Paganini was standing before a packed house, playing through a difficult piece of music. A full orchestra surrounded him with magnificent support. Suddenly one string on his violin snapped and hung gloriously down from his instrument. Beads of perspiration popped out on his forehead. He frowned but continued to play, improvising beautifully.

To the conductor's surprise, a second string broke. And shortly thereafter, a third. Now there were three limp strings dangling from Paganini's violin as the master performer completed the difficult composition on the one remaining string. The audience jumped to its feet and in good Italian fashion, filled the hall with shouts and screams, "Bravo! Bravo!" As the applause died down, the violinist asked the people to sit back down. Even though they knew there was no way they could expect an encore, they quietly sank back into their seats.

He held the violin high for everyone to see. He nodded at the conductor to begin the encore and then he turned back to the crowd, and with a twinkle in his eye, he smiled and shouted, "Paganini...and one string!" After that he placed the single-stringed Stradivarius beneath his chin and played the final piece on ONE string as the audience (and the conductor) shook their heads in silent amazement. "Paganini...and one string!" And I might add, an attitude of fortitude.

In a sense our lives are like a great concert in which the Master violinist plays a beautiful masterpiece with our story. We see nothing but one measly string...He sees a concerto for the ages. We see fear...He sees hope. Knowing that such love and acceptance for me and my one string are overwhelming and hard to fathom, God runs alongside me as my Master-coach with the encouragement to prop me up with His positive presence within the overwhelming negativity and storms of life.

Such positive thoughts permeate my thoughts to see a new creation with a new attitude.

God...and one string - me!