THOUGHTS FROM A MUSICIAN'S HEART
- Cafe Jubalatte
- Jan 10
- 2 min read
When Jesus gave us the Great Commission, he commanded us to go to all “people groups,” to all “types of people.” In earlier ages of church history, the phrase “people group” implied a nation or a geographical area. In those days, however, almost all the people in any country primarily had a common, agricultural lifestyle. In today’s global culture, the critical factors which mold people into different people groups are not necessary geographical, but occupational.
The performing arts world is a significant people group that needs the love of Jesus Christ. You can find your people group at Carnegie Hall, or at the Juilliard School, or at similar institutions in your area. You can speak “in their language,” serving them and showing them the love of the Lord - and you can see this world changed for Christ. In terms of lifestyle and temperament, a violinist from the Chicago Symphony and a flutist from the Tokyo Symphony may have more in common than the next-door neighbor of either. Of course, there are many individual traits among all artists, but as a people group they have a great deal in common, wherever they happen to live.
One of the most effective ways to minister the love of Jesus to people is to serve them. So ask yourself: “How can I find a way to serve those in my area of the arts world?” Perhaps you can provide excellent deserts one day at the end of your local orchestra’s rehearsal. Perhaps you can write a letter of sincere praise to an artist you admire, complete with an appropriate scripture and a promise to pray for them.
Today, you can begin helping to change the performing arts world for Christ. It does not take a great deal of time, money, or effort. It simply takes a heart willing to be used for the Lord to make a difference in your world. Take time to pray, asking God for creativity, sensitivity, and courage. Trust him to help you. It may be a one small witness, or it may have global consequences. Our Lord has chosen to use people like each of us to spread the Good News.
God is extremely passionate about reaching the performing artists “people group”, He is equally passionate about empowering believers who are willing to take the challenge.
“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit”, says the Lord Almighty. Zechariah 4:6
Yes, you can be used by the Lord to change the arts world for Christ.
—Patrick Kavanaugh (1954-2018)
from a booklet (1986?) “The Performing Arts World is a Mission Field”
It was precisley this motivation, that stemed from a study of "unreached people groups" in our School of Evangelism (YWAM) that led Roslyn to choose classical musicians as her "unreached people group". That eventually resulted in us inviting Patrick to speak in a seminar for musicians in Tasmania starting a lifelong friendship and partnership in the reaching the classical music world. Thankyou Barbara :-)