The Bach recital tonight at Duke was, in a word, magnificent. In two words, absolutely magnificent. The organist was in the zone for 60 straight minutes. To say that he is extraordinarily skilled is an understatement. And to say that Bach was a great composer would be insufficient. I simply don't know how music can be so perfect. And to think -- God allows me to live within an hour drive of the Duke Chapel.
If you are blessed enough to hear Bach played in person, it's an unbelievable physical experience. You can literally feel the vibrations in your bones. It gives me goosebumps every time. And the music was performed on such an amazingly beautiful instrument (the Renthrop organ).
Just imagine what it would have been like hearing this music performed for the first time by Bach himself. There won't ever be anyone like him ever again. Afterwards I enjoyed some doro wat in memory of my sweetheart at an Ethiopian restaurant in Durham. It was delicious and fun to eat. Absolutely love that dish.
Thus comes to an end a wonderful day. This afternoon, as I was reading my Bible on the front lawn, I experienced a profoundly intimate moment with the Lord. I'm not sure how to describe it. But all of a sudden the alabaster flask was open and I was washing the Savior's feet with my tears. When God said to Moses, "I am that I am," he was reminding Moses that the important matter is not who Moses is but who God is. Like Moses, too often I look at my own inadequacy instead of at God's all-sufficiency. The big issue is not who we are but who he is. And my business is to glorify him and enjoy him forever.
Dance with him, my friend, dance with him until your feet are aching, sing until you're hoarse. Pour out the perfume of your praise upon his head. No one else is worthy of such extravagant devotion, love, and sacrifice.
Talk to you tomorrow.