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Key Bible Verse: Whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Bonus Reading: Colossians 3:22–24

For a 19 year old from a small Texas town, Fes-tival Hall at North Da-kota State University was an impressive auditorium. Our Wheaton Col-lege Concert Band was on the third day of its Spring tour. We had a good warm-up that cold and rainy night. But the cavernous arena was almost completely empty except for the 80 performers on stage. As we gathered off-stage for prayer 10 minutes before the concert, I counted how many were in the audience. Four! Widespread grumbling went like this: "We came all this way to play for four people? You've got to be kidding!"

Our director quickly sensed our discontent. "I won't tolerate your attitude," he declared. "I don't care if the auditorium is empty! We play our music to the Lord, for His pleasure." Humbled by those stinging words, we prayerfully sang our standard pre-concert hymn [below], with fresh meaning.

We made our way back onto the stage and played the best concert of the entire tour—with an audience of 14.

Sometimes, when I find myself feeling unappreciated or not getting all the recognition I think I should, the Spirit of God takes me back more than 35 years to Festival Hall and the concert of a lifetime.

—Stanley Clark in College Faith

My Response: Which audience am I playing to?

Thought to Apply: May the love of Jesus fill me / As the waters fill the sea; / Him exalting, self abasing— / This is victory.—Kate Wilkinson (hymn writer)

Adapted from College Faith: 150 Christian Leaders and Educators Share Faith Stories from Their Student Days (Andrews University Press, 2002) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Lord, give me a goal big enough to be worthy of You, and love strong enough to stick with it.

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