Tell the world how God freed you (Psalm 107:2) with a story from the life of Fritz Kreisler.

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 107:2 (TM)

All of you set free by God, tell the world! Tell how he freed you from oppression

STORY:

Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962), the world-famous violinist, earned a fortune with his concerts and compositions, but he generously gave most of it away. So, when he discovered an exquisite violin on one of his trips, he wasn't able to buy it. Later, having raised enough money to meet the asking price, he returned to the seller, hoping to purchase that beautiful instrument. But to his great dismay it had been sold to a collector. Kreisler made his way to the new owner's home and offered to buy the violin. The collector said it had become his prized possession and he would not sell it. Keenly disappointed, Kreisler was about to leave when he had an idea. "Could I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to silence?" he asked. Permission was granted, and the great virtuoso filled the room with such heart-moving music that the collector's emotions were deeply stirred. "I have no right to keep that to myself," he exclaimed. "It's yours, Mr. Kreisler. Take it into the world, and let people hear it." 

OBSERVATION:

What do we have to share with the world that they haven’t already heard 1,000 times? We have our story. What Christ has done in our life ... the oppression to sin that we have escaped ... the freedom that is ours. We have our story!

But have we been set free? Do we still fall victim to those silly sins? Do we get caught up with petty issues? Much like the prisoner who sat in the dark and depressing cell only discover after numerous years that the cell door wasn’t locked in the first place. He was actually free to walk away at anytime. False assumptions kept him behind the bars of his cell.

A challenge on our Lenten journey is to look at the layers of assumptions, which hold us prisoners. Those things that oppresses us. Those issues of living that hold us back.

We have a story to tell. A story that the people of the world need to hear.

PRAYER:

Take the gag out of our mouth Lord. May our voices soar with the sweet testimony of the freedom that you have given us. May the people of the world hear our story. Don’t allow us to be silent when we have such a wonderful story to share. Help us from become a victim once again. May our souls sing!