“CARPET … FOR HIM TO WALK UPON …”
Until I was 17 I’d been “trained” as a Soloist … the “Star” … the focal point in “my” Music … Not only was I trained with precision to play the piano, I was also trained how to walk across the stage to the piano, to stand, to bow, to acknowledge any applause, whether ecstatic or muted, how to walk from the instrument, from the stage, and if warranted, to return for a further “bow“
Aged 17 I was asked to accompany a soloist, a saxophonist who had such a richness in his tone and expression, we were to play and I felt inadequate. I needed help so I contacted my piano teacher who’d taught me “stage craft” … he agreed to listen and advise both of us, so we went to his home and to the music room and after the formalities and the introductions socially, we played.
Three quarters into the piece my mild mannered teacher, who never raised his voice, spoke out! … “NO, NO, NO, Tony … NO!”
I was startled … I felt I was playing very well, no mistakes, but clearly there was one or, more than one. Mr P had never been impatient, much less “irate” as he now clearly seemed to be.
“Tony … Today, you are not the Soloist … you are not the focal point …” You are the accompanist, merely the “servant” to the Soloist the “carpet” for him to walk upon …”
Me? … Carpet? … I was astonished, I was to serve, to be subservient to the Soloist, enhancing his playing not for a moment sharing his limelight.
I’ve had to learn that in my life of Ministry … I am not the Soloist, never “The Star” … never, the focal point … Paul says, “it is no longer I … but Christ Who lives in me …” John the Baptist in a wider context said, “I must decrease … He must increase” … Paul again makes it perfectly clear … “We preach not ourselves … we preach Christ …”
“Carpet“ … by which He walks, talks and expresses Himself, that’s my role … the means through whom Christ expresses Himself, manifests Himself, for His Glory alone, never mine.
What an honour, to be the “Carpet on which He walks” … may it ever be !!