One of our first all Gospel shows was at the old Maine Youth Center in 1986.  Sue and I have been there twice a year every year since then.  We have seen three chaplains come and go in that time.  Today, I returned there yet again for the 9:00 chapel service.  The older gentleman who has always worked the front desk on Saturdays retired last week.  He was a crusty old guy, but never gave me a really hard time bringing my props in, and I'll admit there have been several times when I had pushed the limits in order to do the best show possible.  Now there is a new, younger guy working the desk.  Never having been there when we've gone in, he made sure he did everything by the book.  He searched every prop, every secret compartment.  I half expected him to snap on a rubber glove and do a cavity search of my dove and rabbit!  Thankfully, he didn't.

Once I finally got into the chapel, I really had to hustle to be ready on time.  I don't know how, but I made it.  Then, the service began.  It was one of my best shows ever.  I opened with my new, revised diabolo routine, and it was flawless.  Better, even, than in any rehearsal up to this point.  I did a lot of new material, including two magic routines I'd never done anywhere before, two more that I've only done a handful of times, and my new-this-fall juggling routines to "Hallelujah Chorus" and "O Come All Ye Faithful". 

I spoke about the rich young ruler who Jesus commanded to give up all that he had to follow Him, which one of my new routines is centered on.  The teens, who were a very appreciative, responsive audience, were suddenly silent and listening to each word.  The chaplain said it was as good a service as any I've done there.

While this sounds like a self edifying blog, that's really not the case.  Actually, yesterday I practiced after work, and it was dreadful.  I was agitated and discouraged.  I felt like anything I tried in the show today would fail.  Then last night I asked Sue if we could pray.  I was reminded again that it's not about me or my ability.  God will use what He's given me for talent as He sees fit.  Sometimes that means a great performance and ministry time, like today's show.  Occaisionally it means a really bad performance that I need to trust He can use in spite of that.  Usually it means an acceptable to pretty good show.  Regardless of these outward performances, I need to remember that God, who has used donkeys, graffiti (read Daniel), ravens, and fools to do His work, will use me too if I get out of His way.