I read this during the week and loved the story.
As a teenager, Luciano Pavarotti had more than one good idea about his future. He loved sports, and dreamed of being a football goalkeeper. He loved teaching and was attracted to the security this profession offered. And, of course, he loved to sing.
When an elite professional tenor offered to take him as a student without the cost, Pavarotti faced a decision: Which future should he choose?
His father said to him, “Luciano, if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them. For life, you must choose one chair.”
Pavarotti later told Guideposts Magazine: “I chose one. It took seven years of study and frustration before I made my first professional appearance. It took another seven to reach the Metropolitan Opera. And now I think whether it’s laying bricks, writing a book – whatever we choose – we should give ourselves to it. Commitment, that’s the key. Choose one chair”.
Of all the words written by the Apostle Paul, perhaps his most powerful phrase is: “This one thing I do.” Everything about Paul’s life pointed in one direction. Everything he did led him to one chair. His prize was doing what God called him to do – to know Jesus and to make Jesus known. This echoed what Solomon said. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” (Ecc. 9:10)
Life is a reverse of the game Musical Chairs, in which there are more players than places to sit. The truth is we have lots of chairs to choose from. Those who live life best are those who have the courage to choose one chair.
Have you chosen yours?
On a personal level, thank-you to those who prayed during my time in the Philippines. It was a great experience to connect with some of the local Pastors and to preach during this trip. I did struggle with the weather but it was a good time. This week we are starting a new series looking at the themes within some of the classic Christmas Carols.
