“Now the Lord
is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we
all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are
being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the
Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NKJ)
Before retirement,
expert luthier & archetier, Étienne Vatelot repaired the instruments and
bows of the world’s master musicians. International soloists such as David
Oistrakh, Yehudi Menuhin, Isaac Stern, Mistlav Rostropovitch, Yo-Yo Ma, Ivry
Gitlis, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Maxim Vengerov, Boris Belkin and many other
musicians were some of Vatelot’s clients.
expert luthier & archetier, Étienne Vatelot repaired the instruments and
bows of the world’s master musicians. International soloists such as David
Oistrakh, Yehudi Menuhin, Isaac Stern, Mistlav Rostropovitch, Yo-Yo Ma, Ivry
Gitlis, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Maxim Vengerov, Boris Belkin and many other
musicians were some of Vatelot’s clients.
When interviewed at
his retirement, Vatelot said, “Musicians must realize that instead of
purchasing an old, supposedly valuable Italian instrument—maybe broken or
needing repairs—it is better to buy a very good contemporary instrument. I am
convinced that if an old instrument was bad, it will be bad three centuries
afterwards. On the other hand, if it was a masterpiece and was kept in good
conditions, it will still be a perfect violin. It is the same with contemporary
violin making; if the instrument is bad, it will not become better with time.
If it is good, it will improve with time.”
his retirement, Vatelot said, “Musicians must realize that instead of
purchasing an old, supposedly valuable Italian instrument—maybe broken or
needing repairs—it is better to buy a very good contemporary instrument. I am
convinced that if an old instrument was bad, it will be bad three centuries
afterwards. On the other hand, if it was a masterpiece and was kept in good
conditions, it will still be a perfect violin. It is the same with contemporary
violin making; if the instrument is bad, it will not become better with time.
If it is good, it will improve with time.”
People of faith know
that Vatelot’s illustration can be applied to our Christian walk. It all
depends on how we start out. If we accept and believe erroneous teaching that
is never repaired by the Truth, our lives and beliefs will always be false. If
we believe the Bible, accepting its good conditions, we will always walk in
perfect Truth. And, over time, we will improve in God’s grace.
that Vatelot’s illustration can be applied to our Christian walk. It all
depends on how we start out. If we accept and believe erroneous teaching that
is never repaired by the Truth, our lives and beliefs will always be false. If
we believe the Bible, accepting its good conditions, we will always walk in
perfect Truth. And, over time, we will improve in God’s grace.
There is difference
between sentient beings and Vatelot’s stringed instruments. According to
Vatelot the instrument must start out as “a masterpiece” and be kept
in good condition. But God works differently with human beings. He starts with
a damaged instrument, continuously repairing and restoring it, and over time
through the good conditions of his grace the instrument becomes the masterpiece
the Master always intended it to be.
between sentient beings and Vatelot’s stringed instruments. According to
Vatelot the instrument must start out as “a masterpiece” and be kept
in good condition. But God works differently with human beings. He starts with
a damaged instrument, continuously repairing and restoring it, and over time
through the good conditions of his grace the instrument becomes the masterpiece
the Master always intended it to be.
It is no great feat
for a master musician to play a masterpiece instrument. But when the Master
takes up a “bad” instrument and remakes it into a masterpiece
instrument, that is something truly marvelous to behold.
for a master musician to play a masterpiece instrument. But when the Master
takes up a “bad” instrument and remakes it into a masterpiece
instrument, that is something truly marvelous to behold.
Dear Father, thank
you for remaking me through Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord. Empower me to
continually yield myself to his transforming grace. I pray this in the name of
Jesus. AMEN
you for remaking me through Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord. Empower me to
continually yield myself to his transforming grace. I pray this in the name of
Jesus. AMEN
Be strong and
courageous today yielding to God’s transforming grace,
courageous today yielding to God’s transforming grace,