Music and Creativity of Man

I was just listening to Bach's solo sonatas and partitas for violin performed by Itzhak Perlman, an amazing violinist. What is astonishing to me is to think that hundreds of years after Bach wrote this music, it is still being performed today and has become standard repetoire for the violin. I am currently working on mastering the difficult first Sonata in G minor! Music is amazing when you think about it, because no matter how hard someone might try, they can't perform a movement from one of Bach's solo sonatas or partitas exactly the same way as someone else. Some musicians can even interpret the music differently each time they play it, even if they have performed the same piece countless times.

What is also amazing to think of is that if we did not have the creativity that we have, music would not be what it is. Music is an expression of the heart, soul and mind. It is a physical action in that we hear what is produced and it requires movement of some sort in order to be heard, but it doesn't work unless you listen and play with your heart.

Itzhak Perlman is a musician who plays sitting down. He contracted polio at a young age which left him without the use of his legs, but as far as music goes, he is a musician who plays with utter joy and everything that comes from his heart. He doesn't need full motion of his body to move someone through music.

Our God has created us in His likeness, with His creativity. It is vast and yet it does not even compare to His own level of creativity! He created a world which would not function if small things were altered, he created beauty within that world and he created us with emotions to feel and understand that beauty. He is a great and awesome God!

Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them. Isaiah 42:10

A Hole In the Side of Africa

Shimoni Sunset

I recently visited a village called Msambweni, which is near a famous little place called Shimoni. Shimoni, in the words of Roger Whittaker, is a "hole in the side of Africa," caves which are situated along the southern shore of Kenya in which slave traders kept Africans until they were ready to transport them off the continent. The story is that slave traders captured Africans and entered the caves which begin about five kilometres off from the shore. After leading their captives through a winding, twisting maze underground, the Africans then came out on the edge of the sea. Most were overwhelmed by the sight of so much water and were too afraid to escape back through the maze of caves.

I can only imagine the fear those people felt when they saw the Indian Ocean for the first time, not to mention the fear of being captured and not knowing what is now going to happen to you! David tells us in Psalms 56:3-4, "When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust, I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?"

It is hard to place our entire trust in God. We cannot see Him, we cannot feel Him (literally!), and we cannot trust that He is there unless we have faith. Faith is knowing that the air we breathe is always there for us on our planet. We cannot see it or touch it, but we know that it is there! Without it, we could not live. God is the same way. Whether some of us like it or not, He is always there, even if you can't see Him. Without Him, we are nothing. With Him, we have everything we could ever want! We can give Him all of our doubts and fears and leave our worries to Him.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10