I believe it was last year when I first heard it. I was blown completely away. Then I heard it again, today, and I bet I’ve played it 10 times. If you’re also a child of the 70’s, it’ll strike a chord in you, too. But really? It should strike a chord no matter how old you are.
What am I talking about?
Ann and Nancy Wilson of the band Heart, presenting their version of the Led Zeppelin song “Stairway to Heaven” at the Lincoln Center tribute to that legendary band. Its members, tuxedo-clad, watched in rapt awe from the prestigious state box.
Before I go any further, you need to hear it. Go ahead. I’ll wait right here until you’re done.
Amazing, isn’t it?
You know, Ann and Nancy could’ve just brought their band, and sang the song. It’s not like they’re terrible. Ann is one of the most broadly-ranged vocalists, male or female, not just of the 70’s, but, in my opinion, of all time. She’s incredible, as is Nancy on guitar, and the rest of their crazy-talented musicians. It would’ve been great. But they were playing for the creators of one of the most recognizable rock anthems of the era. Many a young guitarist learned its intro from guitar teachers all over the world, and it was the soundtrack that found millions of pimply teens swaying together in a slow-dance haze. They obviously didn’t feel like just singing the song would be good enough.
So they brought in an orchestra.
And a brass section.
And a choir.
They sang and played with all they had, as a stunned, and visibly moved, Zeppelin looked on.
So, it leaves me to ask…what if we presented the works of our hands to their Creator in the same way?
What if, instead of just going about our everyday business, and giving a cursory thanks every now and then, we pulled out all the stops? What if we remembered just Who was in the audience and went above and beyond to present our talents back to Him as a tribute to Him?
I bet the Choir would be singing, and He would be stunned and visibly moved, reveling in the adoration and praise.
Yeah, I bet that’s what He had in mind when He gifted us with our individual talents…a pause every day, on each step of our stairway to heaven, using them to do all things to the over-the-top honor of their Creator.
“…don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ.” Colossians 3:23 MSG
“Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time.” 1 Peter 4:10 MSG