THOUGHTS FROM A MUSICIAN'S HEART

Feb 9
2 min read

Last week I posted this on FaceBook:

“Do not glorify men and women. Do not put them on a pedestal. You will be disappointed. Only God is to be on the throne of our lives.”

Here’s why I wrote that:

When I was a young clarinet player, I got to play in a session with a famous teacher I really looked up to. He was kind, smart, patient, and played so beautifully—I was in awe. I thought he must be amazing at everything: great friends, perfect house, distinguished career, ideal family, and no problems in his life — perfect all around.

Then, near the end, someone came in the room and said they had forgotten a small thing the teacher had asked for. The teacher got frustrated and threw his music on the floor. The whole room froze. He apologized right away and went back to being nice.

But someone nearby whispered, “What a jerk.”

My perfect picture of him cracked. I felt let down and confused.

Years later, with my faith, I see it differently. He’s an incredible musician—gifted by God. But he’s also human, flawed, and in need of Jesus’ grace… just like me.

Seeing him this way doesn’t mean I excuse what he did. God is holy. He doesn’t ignore sin—even in His own children. Over time I’ve realized there is a big difference between what some people call “cheap grace” and the real, costly grace God gives. Cheap grace says, “Jesus forgives me anyway, so I can just keep going the same way—no real change needed.”

But God’s grace isn’t like that. It is free to us, yet it cost Jesus His life on the cross. It is the kind of grace that changes us from the inside, drawing us to turn from sin and follow Him more closely—not because we must earn forgiveness, but because we’re so thankful for what He has done.

That disappointment when I was young also helped teach me to keep good boundaries. I stayed respectful and kept learning from teachers, but I stopped thinking extraordinary talent = great personal character.

This is a reminder for me too—I mess up all the time.

“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

I need to stay at the foot of the Cross each day, eyes focused on Him.

Only Jesus deserves to be at the center, on the throne of our lives.

He will never let us down.

Diana Haskell , clarinetist, St. Louis Symphony