When You Can’t Hear the Applause

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." — Colossians 3:17

Have you ever given your best when you had the least?

Ludwig van Beethoven lived in the latter part of the 1700s and 1800s in a time when Europe was going through much upheaval. Out of that scenario, Beethoven was commissioned to write his ninth symphony. It became the zenith of his career.

Here's what amazes me: He wrote that symphony when he was completely deaf. He could not hear it at all.

When it was performed on May 7, 1824, he couldn't conduct the symphony because he couldn't hear. He sat in front of the conductor on the stage facing the chorus and orchestra, providing tempo for them. At the very end, the contralto soloist went to him and had him stand up and turn around to see the applause being given. People cheered and threw their hats in the air. He never heard a note of his greatest work.

I tell you this story to let you know that regardless of where you are in your life, it is not over until it is over. You have much to give. Sometimes, the greatest giving happens when you have lost it all.

Maybe you feel like you have nothing left to offer. Your resources are depleted. Your energy is gone. Your circumstances have taken everything.

Give anyway.

Beethoven gave when he didn't have much to give—he couldn't even hear. God gave him the greatest symphony he would ever write.

God may have a great plan for your life and it may flow out of what you don't have right now. Watch what He can do. The widow gave two small coins and Jesus said she gave more than everyone else (Mark 12:43-44).

Your greatest contribution might come from your greatest limitation. Give your best. Let God handle the applause.